Bromhexine
Bromhexine is a mucolytic medicine used in a number of countries to help clear thick respiratory secretions. It is not licensed uniformly worldwide, so the local product leaflet is important for indications, ages and dosing.
At a glance
Quick facts
- Drug class
- Mucolytic / expectorant
- Main uses
- Respiratory conditions with thick mucus in countries where bromhexine is authorised
- Route
- Oral; other formulations vary by market
- WHO ATC
- R05CB02
- Key safety
- Hypersensitivity and severe cutaneous adverse reactions are rare but important; stop treatment for progressive rash or mucosal lesions.
- Monitoring
- Respiratory diagnosis, symptom duration, age/formulation limits and signs of allergy or severe skin reaction.
Names & terminology
How this medicine may be named or searched
- Canonical page name
- Bromhexine
- INN / generic name
- Bromhexine
- Aliases / salts
- bromhexine · bromhexine hydrochloride
- Russian support entity
- bromhexine.ru — entity relationship only, not a clinical source
Structured drug profile
Drug profile
What is Bromhexine?
Bromhexine is a mucolytic medicine used in a number of countries to help clear thick respiratory secretions. It is not licensed uniformly worldwide, so the local product leaflet is important for indications, ages and dosing.
What is Bromhexine used for?
Respiratory conditions with thick mucus in countries where bromhexine is authorised. The exact approved indication depends on the product, route and country. [1]
How it works
Reduces mucus viscosity and supports clearance of bronchial secretions; exact approved indications are market-specific.
Forms and formulations
Tablets, syrups and oral solutions; strengths vary by country. Different formulations may have different indications, strengths, excipients and instructions and should not be assumed interchangeable.
Country / market layer
Availability and formulations by market
Brand names, strengths, prescription status and approved uses vary by jurisdiction. Check the exact national product record before relying on a formulation.
Availability depends on the active ingredient, route and formulation; not every medicine in this reference has a current UK product.
U.S. authorization and formulation availability may differ substantially from Europe and other markets.
How it is used
Use the exact local formulation and dose stated on the product label or prescription. A cough with breathlessness, chest pain, coughing blood, high fever or prolonged symptoms should be clinically assessed rather than repeatedly self-treated.
For prescription treatment, use the patient-specific regimen rather than copying a dose from another person or another formulation.
Side effects
Nausea, abdominal discomfort and hypersensitivity can occur. European regulators strengthened product information to include severe allergic and severe skin reactions.
Important warnings and monitoring
Stop treatment and obtain urgent help for facial swelling, breathing difficulty, blistering or a rapidly spreading rash. Seek assessment if symptoms suggest pneumonia, asthma exacerbation or another serious respiratory cause.
Monitoring context: Respiratory diagnosis, symptom duration, age/formulation limits and signs of allergy or severe skin reaction.
Interactions
Interaction information varies by formulation and market. Check combination products carefully to avoid duplicate cough medicines or unnecessary multiple ingredients.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Recommendations in pregnancy and breastfeeding are formulation- and country-specific. Use only after checking the local product information and discussing benefits and uncertainties with a clinician or pharmacist.
Overdose and accidental extra doses
A significant overdose may increase gastrointestinal or other adverse effects. Contact a poison centre or emergency service for substantial excess dosing.
Practical clinical context
The most important distinction is between the medicine entity and a specific marketed product. Strength, salt, route, modified-release design, age authorization and prescription status can change between products. When safety or dosing decisions matter, use the exact package leaflet, prescribing information or national regulator record for the product actually being used.
This page deliberately separates general evidence from the project’s Russian-language support site bromhexine.ru; that site identifies the cross-language entity but is not treated as an authority for clinical claims.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
It is a mucolytic used in some countries to make thick respiratory mucus easier to clear.
No. It does not directly treat bacterial infection.
European regulators required stronger warnings after reviewing rare severe allergic and cutaneous reactions.
Availability differs by country; it is widely used in some markets but not uniformly authorised worldwide.
No. Persistent or alarming cough symptoms need assessment for the underlying cause.
Sources
Clinical statements in this reference are based on named public-health, regulatory or guideline sources. Product-specific labeling remains authoritative for exact indications, dosing and contraindications.
- 1. EMA. Ambroxol and bromhexine-containing medicines referral. Source ↗
- 2. WHO ATC/DDD. ATC/DDD Index. Source ↗
This medicine reference is evidence-based and is awaiting clinician review. It is not a substitute for personalized medical advice.