Expectorants - Types, Benefits, Side Effects, and Contraindications

Introduction

Expectorants are medicines preferred to control or reduce the congestion of the chest. They are present in different forms and products that work to soothe the throat, release mucus, and relieve the patient's productive cough symptoms. There are different forms of expectorants and the most commonly used expectorants are Guaifenesin and Potassium iodide. The topic describes the uses, side effects, and contraindications of expectorants.

What Are Expectorants?

Expectorants provide therapeutic remedies and are used to reduce cough and chest congestion. The expectorants are used to thin the secretions of the alveolar airways of the chest and lead to the loosening of the mucus, after which the sputum is coughed out making the airway clear for easy breathing. It is mainly recommended by the doctor when the patient is suffering from a cold, cough, or flu-like symptoms.

What Is the Use of Expectorants?

• Expectorants are used when cough or other respiratory infections or congestions are present. These are used to clear mucus secretions and cough.

• Some infections can be treated by using expectorants: bronchitis (a condition where the bronchial tubules, which are the lungs airways becomes swollen and leads to cough and mucus production), the common cold, and pneumonia (a bacterial or viral infection leading to pus formation in lungs’ air sacs eventually causing lung inflammation).

• On using expectorants, the symptoms of cough and mucus accumulation get resolved. Expectorants make an easy move for the mucus to eliminate from the throat. They do not work for cough resolution; instead, try to clear the mucus secretion.

• These have been used as an off-label in conditions of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (a collection of lung diseases that blocks airway and causes breathing difficulty) and emphysema (a lung condition that results in breathing difficulty due to damaged air sacs in the lungs).

• It is sometimes also used in the management of fibromyalgia (A chronic condition resulting in body pain and tenderness).

How Does Expectorant Work?

Expectorants easily lubricate the airways and help to clear the mucus by thinning the airway's secretions. By making a loose mucus attachment, these expectorants cause a productive cough as they increase the cough by expelling it. The process makes it easy for the mucus to cough out effectively and clear the patient's throat. Coughing can make the patient feel discomfort and chest congestion. In addition, when the patient coughs out the mucus, it can lead to the release of infectious bacteria and viruses as they are present in the mucus and lessen the chances of the infection.

What Are the Different Types of Expectorants?

There are two types of expectorants: medicinal and natural. The main ingredients used in the expectorants help thin these mucus secretions, which makes the cough more productive. The medicinal expectorants are:

• Guaifenesin: It is a commonly used ingredient. It is an active ingredient used in many cough suppressants and decongestants to control the symptoms of cough, cold, and flu. It mainly works to decrease the stickiness of the mucus secretion so that they can easily come out.

• Potassium Iodide: It is a strong expectorant. It is also used in cases of chronic lung diseases. It is also one of the commonly used ingredients which are prescribed to clear mucus secretion easily. These are usually present in liquid cough syrups.

Natural expectorants are also used to reduce cough symptoms and relieve chest congestion. Some of the commonly used natural expectorants are:

• Honey - Honey is also used to treat cough and congestion. People use it along with tea or warm water to give soothing effects.

• Menthol - Menthol is obtained from a peppermint and other classes of mint plants. It is mainly used in cough drops as the main ingredient. Its usage provides a cooling sensation to people and relaxes the sore throat.

• Leaf Extract - Ivy leaf extract is also used as a natural expectorant to treat cough and flu.

Some other ways that work as expectorants to clear the mucus are:

• Oral Hydration: Drinking plenty of water also keeps the patient hydrated and keeps their mucus less sticky. But the patient should avoid drinking tea or coffee.

• Steam Inhalation: Steam inhalation can lead to a moist chest which can cause loosening of the mucus stickiness. And a warm and moist chest or humidifier can lead to clearing the chest mucus.

What Are the Side Effects of Expectorants?

The use of expectorants usually does not cause a serious type of side effects, but still, side effects are usually seen. All the expectorants have common symptoms like:

• Dizziness.

• Constipation.

• Headache.

• Tiredness.

• Rashes over the skin.

• Nausea.

• Vomiting.

• Restlessness.

• Nervousness.

There are a few sides that are specific to certain expectorants.

Potassium Iodide: The side effects are:

• Abdominal pain.

• Diarrhea.

• Acid reflux.

• Numbness in hands or feet.

• Swelling or tenderness in salivary glands.

• Excessive salivation.

• Metallic tastes.

• Sore gums.

• Confusion.

• Irregular heartbeat.

Methanol and Ivy Leaf Extract: It has similar side effects like:

• Hives.

• Difficulty in breathing.

• Wheezing.

• Swelling of the face.

• Allergic reactions.

What Are the Contraindications to Expectorants?

If the patient suffers from the above mentioned side effects, then they should avoid the usage of the expectorants. However, there a few contraindications, and they are:

• If the patient is pregnant, they should avoid using the expectorant-containing medicine.

• If the patient is breastfeeding, then avoid using expectorants.

• If the patient has developed any kind of allergic reaction to the ingredient present in the expectorants, then its usage needs to be stopped.

• It is not to be used beyond the recommended dose or time.

• It is not recommended to consume expectorant before driving.

What Are the Different Forms of the Expectorant?

The expectorants are present in liquid forms, lozenges, or tablets. All these forms have different amounts of expectorant and other medication that can easily control the cough and flu-like symptoms. Usually, the doctor recommends the liquid dosages of the expectorants to work on clearing the mucus secretion and relieve congestion.

Conclusion:

The expectorants are the chemical or natural ingredients used in medicine to control cough or flu-like symptoms. But actually, they work to loosen up the sticky mucus secretion from the chest or throat to clear up the airway. These expectorants are present in different forms. They are also present in natural based products like menthol, honey, or leafy extracts. Thus, with proper usage of the recommended dose, the expectorants provide relief from chest congestion and other flu-like discomfort.