Plethora of studies have establishes ambroxol as a potent therapeutic agent in the management of acute and chronic respiratory diseases. The researchers of the study re-evaluated the benefit-risk of ambroxol. The study included all new significant published scientific data involving the treatment of bronchopulmonary diseases in the last decade. Non-relevant studies were excluded manually. The study thus, identified 64 relevant publications covering both, clinical and preclinical research.

Although the study affirmed the traditional indication of ambroxol as an expectorant, novel studies demonstrated a better elucidation of the several mechanisms of action of ambroxol its benefits for special patient populations. The obtained data also revealed the potential of ambroxol as an adjuvant in anti-infective therapy, especially in case of infections with biofilm-producing pathogens.

Apart from the positive effects of ambroxol on mucus clearance, it also exhibits an antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Several studies have shown direct and indirect anti-infectious properties of ambroxol including increasing bioavailability of antibiotics. Thus, ambroxol has proven its effectiveness in diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute bronchitis, which is found to be mediated by these pharmacological properties.

Source: Plomer M. More than Expectorant: New Scientific Data on Ambroxol in the Context of the Treatment of Bronchopulmonary Diseases. J Intensive & Crit Care. 2017;3(3):37. Available at: https://criticalcare.imedpub.com/more-than-expectorant-new-scientific-data-on-ambroxol-in-the-context-of-the-treatment-of-bronchopulmonary-diseases.php?aid=20147.