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Ambroxol
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Description
Ambroxol is a medicine used to treat respiratory diseases (problems in the airways and lungs) associated with excessive mucous production in children and adults. This medicine works by thinning and loosening the mucous so that it can be coughed out easily. This helps you to breathe easily.
Ambroxol may cause common side effects like nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, dry mouth, etc. These side effects last for a short period and usually resolve on their own. Talk to your doctor if these side effects are persistent.
Ambroxol oral form is taken preferably with food to avoid stomach irritation. Take is medicine for the duration recommended by your doctor. Do not start or stop taking this medicine without consulting with your doctor. Ambroxol respules is for oral inhalation only. Inhale the respules as instructed by your doctor. The dose and frequency of inhalation will be decided by your doctor depending on your clinical condition.
Ambroxol is not recommended if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you are taking any medicines as they can interact with each other and cause side effects. Inform your doctor if you have stomach ulcers, liver problems or kidney problems. Consult with your doctor before taking Ambroxol if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Ambroxol
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhoea
Stomach discomfort
Skin rash and itching
Heartburn
Dry mouth
Altered sense of taste
Uses of Ambroxol
What is it prescribed for?
Emphysema
Emphysema is a condition that involves damage to the walls of the alveoli (air sacs) of your lungs. Ambroxol is used to ease the symptoms of emphysema like shortness of breath and persistent cough by making the sputum thin and less viscous. Thus, that makes it easy to cough out the sputum.
Tracheobronchitis (inflammation of the airways)
Tracheobronchitis is the swelling of the trachea (windpipe) and airways leading to the lungs. Ambroxol is used in the treatment of of the symptoms of Tracheobronchitis. It provides relief from symptoms such as excessive cough and thick sputum.
Acute exacerbations of bronchitis (worsening of symptoms of airway inflammation)
Acute exacerbation of bronchitis refers to a sudden worsening of the symptoms of bronchitis (narrowing of the airways). Ambroxol may be given with an appropriate antibiotic in such conditions as it helps in mucous secretion. Thus, it helps to improve cough, difficulties in removing mucous as well as other symptoms.
Cough with mucous
Ambroxol is used to relieve cough with mucous production by making the sputum thin and less viscous. Thus, that makes it easy to cough out the sputum.
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
Oral form: You may start to feel better within 30 minutes after taking Ambroxol.Duration of effect
It is not known how long the effect of Ambroxol lasts in your body. However, after oral administration this medicine may remain in your body for 2-3 days.Safe with alcohol?
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.Is it habit forming?
No habit forming tendency has been reported for Ambroxol.Usage in pregnancy?
Ambroxol is not recommended during pregnancy as not enough data is available to understand its safety and efficacy. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant.Usage while breast-feeding?
Ambroxol is not recommended while breastfeeding due to limited information on its use. Consult your doctor to understand all risks and benefits associated with it before taking this medicine.
Allergy
Ambroxol is not recommended if you are allergic to it. A serious allergic reaction to this medicine is rare. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Ambroxol is not recommended during pregnancy as not enough data is available to understand its safety and efficacy. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding
Ambroxol is not recommended while breastfeeding due to limited information on its use. Consult your doctor to understand all risks and benefits associated with it before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Other medicines
Ambroxol may interact with many other medicines and cause severe side effects. Hence, inform your doctor about all your current medicines including herbs and supplements before beginning treatment with this medicine.
Kidney diseases
Ambroxol should be used with caution if you have kidney problems. Impaired kidney function may lead to the accumulation of this medicine in your body and increase the risk of side effects. Your doctor may suggest another suitable medicine or adjust the dose accordingly based on your condition.
Liver dieases
Ambroxol should be used with caution if you have liver problems as this medicine is broken down in your liver. Impaired liver function may lead to the accumulation of this medicine and increase the risk of side effects. Frequent monitoring of liver functions and/or dose adjustments may be necessary based on your condition.
Use in children
Ambroxol should be used in children under doctor's supervision. Tablet form (30mg) is not recommended in children under 6 years of age and syrup form (15mg/5ml) and oral drops is not recommended in children under 2 years of age.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose of Ambroxol as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose of Ambroxol.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Disease interactions
Gastric ulceration
Ambroxol should be used with caution if you have gastric ulcers (painful sores in the lining of the stomach and intestine). This medicine may cause further damage and worsen your condition. Hence, inform your doctor before starting therapy with this medication.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Tablets/Capsules: Take Ambroxol as instructed by your doctor. Do not crush or chew the tablets or capsules.
Syrup/Oral drops: Shake the bottle well before use. Measure the dose appropriately using a measuring device.
Respules: Inhale Ambroxol respules into your lungs as directed by your doctor. Use this medicine with a nebulizer only. Do not swallow or inject the solution.
Avoid taking larger or smaller amounts of Ambroxol than that prescribed by your doctor. Take this medicine for the recommended duration.
Ambroxol is used for short-term treatment. Consult your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after few days.
Consult with your doctor if you experience any undesirable effects.
Make sure you check the expiry date before using the medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Ambroxol thins and loosens mucous (phlegm) in the airways making it easier to cough out. Thus, it promotes mucous clearance and eases a productive cough (cough with mucous).
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Mucolytics
Schedule
Schedule H
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Mri.cts-mrp.eu. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 14 September 2021].
CiplaMed. 2021. INHALEX Respules. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 14 September 2021].
Hpra.ie. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 14 September 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 14 Sep 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.