A recent article published in VestnikOtorhinolaryngologii discussed that acute cough associated with influenza and acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI) is one of the most common complaints encountered by a general practitioner or an otorhinolaryngologist. Acute cough during ARVI in the practically healthy subjects is as a rule non-productive, frequently dry and resolves within 2-3 weeks. But, sometimes, ARVI cough can be productive with the well apparent abnormal expectoration of sputum, especially in the aged and elderly subjects, young children and patients suffering from chest injuries, dry pleuritis and other disorders. 

The authors stated that an early prescription of mucoactive preparations can prevent the development of subacute cough. In such cases, the use of mucokineticambroxol– improves the mucociliary clearance (MCC) and does not require strong exertion for sputum expectoration, is recommended. An important aspect in the mechanism of action of ambroxol is the stimulation of surfactant production, antioxidation effect, the improvement of rheological properties of bronchial mucus, ant-inflammatory and antiviral effects. 

Preparations of neo-bronchol (orally disintegrating tablets) can be recommended for inclusion in combined treatment of patients presenting with acute and chronic diseases, accompanied by the excretion of viscous and difficult-of-discharge bronchial mucus – such as, acute and chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma with difficulty in sputum discharge, and bronchoectatic disease. As volatile metabolites of ambroxolneo-bronchol tablet, for instance – ambroxol, menthol and cineol, have mucolytic, antiseptic and antibacterial actions on the trachea and bronchi. Irrigation with these volatile substances of receptors present in inflamed mucous membrane of the larynx, pharynx and nasal cavity confers an immediate cough-suppressive effect.

Source: Vestnik Otorhinolaryngologii. 2015;80(5):85-90.doi: 10.17116/otorino201580585-90