Home > Encyclopedia of Children's Health > Expectorants

Definition

Expectorants are drugs that loosen and clear mucus and phlegm from the respiratory tract.

Description

There are two drugs that are routinely used to clear mucus from the respiratory tract: guaifenesin and acetylcysteine. Guaifenesin may be taken by mouth and is an ingredient in many over-the-counter cough and cold remedies. Although acetylcysteine is by far the more reliable of the two, it must be administered with special inhalation equipment or instilled directly into the trachea.

Other drugs have been used as expectorants, but lack evidence of either efficacy or safety or both:

• ammonium chloride
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