Mucolytic drugs help thin mucus in the airways making it easier to cough up or suction out. The main mucolytic drugs are bromhexine, ambroxol, and acetylcysteine. Bromhexine and ambroxol work by breaking down mucus polymers to decrease viscosity. Acetylcysteine breaks mucus and lubricates the lungs. Nurses should prepare for suctioning if coughing occurs, encourage fluid intake, and maintain the patient's airway when these mucolytic drugs are administered.

1. MUCOLYTICS

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

3. CLASSIFICATION OF MUCOLYTICS
Bromhexine
Ambroxol
Acetylcysteine

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

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

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

7. 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.

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

9. 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

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

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

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

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

14. 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.

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

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. NURSING
RESPONSIBILITIES

20. 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.

21. PATIENT EDUCATION

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

23. THANKING
YOU