Bromhexine

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[[Image:|220px|Bromhexine chemical structure]]
Bromhexine
Systematic (IUPAC) name
?
Identifiers
CAS number	?
ATC code	R05CB02
PubChem	2442
Chemical data
Formula	C14H20Br2N2
Mol. weight	376.13
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	?
Metabolism	?
Half life	?
Excretion	?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	?
Legal status
Routes	?

A mucolytic agent used in the treatment of respiratory disorders associated with viscid or excessive mucus.

[edit] Chemical properties

C15H24Br2N2
Exact Mass: 390.03
Mol. Wt.: 392.17
C, 45.94%; H, 6.17%; Br, 40.75%; N, 7.14%

[edit] Function

Bromhexine supports the body's own natural mechanisms for clearing mucus from the respiratory tract.

It is secretolytic: that is, it increases the production of serous mucus in the respiratory tract and makes the phlegm thinner and less sticky. This contributes to a secretomotoric effect: it helps the cilia - tiny hairs that line the respiratory tract - to transport the phlegm out of the lungs. For this reasons it is often added to some antitussive (cough) syrups