This document discusses mucolytic drugs, which are used to thin mucus in the respiratory tract. It classifies common mucolytics - bromhexine, ambroxol, and acetylcysteine. It describes their mechanisms of action, dosages, and nursing responsibilities when administering them. Mucolytics work by breaking down mucus polymers to decrease viscosity and make mucus easier to cough up or suction out of the airways. Nurses should prepare for suctioning, encourage fluid intake, and maintain patients' airways when using mucolytics to treat respiratory disorders associated with excessive mucus production.

1. MUCOLYTICS
PREPARED BY:
USHA RANI KANDULA,
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR,
DEPARTMENT OF ADULT HEALTH NURSING,
ARSI UNIVERSITY,ASELLA,ETHIOPIA,
SOUTH EAST AFRICA.

2.  Mucus is a slippery liquid that is
made by glands in the mucous
membranes that line the mouth,
nose, throat, lungs, breathing
passageways, digestive organs
and reproductive orans.

3.  The lining of the respiratory tract
is covered with mucous
membranes, which secrete sticky
fluid called mucus.

4.  Mucolytic drugs help loosen and
thin the mucus.
 Once the mucus is thinned, it is
then easier to cough up or
suction from the airway,
improving the patient breathing.

5. CLASSIFICATION
OF
MUCOLYTICS

6. CLASSIFICATION OF MUCOLYTICS
 Bromhexine
 Ambroxol
 Acetylcysteine

7. BROMHEXINE

8. BROMHEXINE
 -Bromhexine is a mucolytic
agents.
 -used in treatment of respiratory
disorders associated with
excessive mucus.

9. BROMHEXINE MOA
 BROMHEXINE depolymerises the
muco polysaccharides in mucus.
 It decreasing viscosity, allowing
for removal by normal chest
physiology.

10. BROMHEXINE
 Dosage
 Adults 8 mg tds
 Children :
 1-5 yrs – 4mg bd
 5-10 yrs – 4mg tds

11. AMBROXOL

12.  Ambroxol is a metabolite of
bromhexine.
 Systemically active mucolytic agent.
 The breakdown of acid
mucopolysaccharide fibers makes
the sputum thinner and less viscous
and more easily removed by
coughing.

13. MECHANISM OF ACTION
 The substance is a mucoactive drug
,
 It restore the physiological clearance
mechanisms of the respiratory tract,
 It promotes mucus clearance,
facilitates expectoration, allowing
patients to breath freely.

14. AMBROXOL
 Dosage
 Adults : daily dose of 30 mg taken
in 2-3 divided doses
 Children up to 2 years : half a
teaspoon ambroxol syrup twice
daily

15.  Children 2-5 years : half a
teaspoon ambroxol syrup three
times daily
 Children over 5 years : one
teaspoonful ambroxol syrup 3
times daily

16. ACETYLCYSTEINE

17. ACETYLCYSTEINE
 The common type of mucolytic
called N-acetylcysteine.
 It breaks the mucus, lubricates many
parts of the body as mouth, throat
and lungs.

18. ACETYLCYSTEINE
 Dosage
 Acetylcysteine solution, is
available in rubber stoppered
glass vials containing 10 ml or 30
ml.
 The 20% solution diluted with
sodium chloride.

19.  Nebulization :
 1-10 ml of the 20% solution or 2-
20 ml of the 10% solution given
every 2-6 hours;

20.  The recommended dose for most
patients is 3-5 ml of the 20%
solution or 6-10 ml of the 10%
solution 3-4 times a day.

21.  Direct instillation : when used by
direct instillation , 1-2 ml of a 10-
20% solution given as often as
every hour.

22.  When used for the routine nursing
care of patients with
tracheostomy,
 -1-2 ml of a 10%-20% solution
given every 1-4 hours by
instillation into the tracheostomy.

23.  Acetylcysteine introduced directly
into a segment of the broncho
pulmonary tree by inserting a small
plastic catheter into the trachea.
 2-5 ml of the 20% solution instilled
by syringe connected to the catheter.

24.  Diagnostic bronchograms :
 for diagnostic bronchial studies, 2 or
3 administrations of 1-2 ml of the
20% solution or 2-4 ml of the 10%
solution should be given by
nebulization or by instillation
intratracheally, prior to the
procedure.

25. NURSING
RESPONSIBILITIES

26. NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES
 Be prepared for suction if cough is
present
 Increased fluid intake to thin secretions
 Rinse the mouth with water to avoid
oropharyngeal irritation.
 Maintain patient airway.
 If needed oxygen administration.

27. PATIENT EDUCATION

28. PATIENT EDUCATION
 Clear airway by coughing deeply
 Wash face mask before and after
use
 Report complications.

29. THANKING
YOU