Mucolíticos

What are mucolytics?

Mucolytics are medicines that make mucus less thick and sticky and easier to cough up. They are helpful where there is a long-term (chronic) cough .

O termo 'expectorante' é um termo geral usado para descrever um tipo de medicamento para tosse que reduz a espessura ou viscosidade do muco, permitindo que ele seja removido dos pulmões mais facilmente através da tosse.

Mucolíticos funcionam quebrando a estrutura das moléculas que formam o muco.

There are a number of mucolytics available to prescribe in the UK. These include carbocisteína e erdosteína. Both are available as capsules. Carbocisteine is also available as an oral liquid.

Two other types of mucolytic are available to prescribe. They are called dornase alfa and mannitol. These medicines are inhaled but are usually only prescribed para pessoas com fibrose cística.

The mucus (sputum) in the lungs is held together by certain bonds. Mucolytics work by breaking these bonds. When these bonds are broken, the mucus becomes less sticky and less thick and is therefore easier to cough up. This may also result in making it harder for germs (bacteria) to infect the mucus and cause chest infections.

They are normally prescribed for people with a long-term (chronic) productive cough. People with a productive cough make a lot of mucus (sputum) in their lungs . Examples of people who may have a chronic productive cough include people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and people with cystic fibrosis.

They are most likely to help in people with moderate or severe COPD who have frequent or significant flare-ups (exacerbations). The number of flare-ups of symptoms tends to be less in people who take a mucolytic.

Dornase alfa is usually only prescribed for people with cystic fibrosis who have a reduced lung capacity. It helps to make it easier to cough up thick mucus and is thought to improve how well the lungs work. It also limits any further damage to the lungs. This medicine is usually started by a doctor who specialises in treating patients with cystic fibrosis. Mannitol is an alternative for people with cystic fibrosis who can't take dornase alpha.

Mucolíticos funcionam melhor quando são tomados regularmente.

Carbocisteine and erdosteine are usually taken twice a day (but up to four times a day) by adults. These medicines may be stopped if they have been taken for one month and don't seem to be helping symptoms. Children may need to take these medicines three or four times a day.

Dornase alfa é administrado inalando diretamente para os pulmões uma ou duas vezes por dia, usando uma máquina chamada nebulizador. O manitol é administrado inalando-o de um inalador portátil.

Efeitos colaterais do tratamento com mucolíticos ocorrem raramente, mas algumas pessoas relataram sangramento no intestino (trato gastrointestinal). Fezes negras e alcatroadas são um sinal de sangramento no intestino - embora este seja um efeito colateral muito raro, as pessoas que desenvolverem isso devem parar de tomar carbocisteína ou erdosteína e procurar orientação médica

Most people are able to take a mucolytic; however, they should not be used in people who have a úlcera estomacal.

No, they require a prescription.

Medical advice should be sought for a cough that has persisted without improving for more than three weeks. Treatment will depend on the cause.

Algumas pessoas precisam de ajuda com uma tosse de longa duração para a qual não se encontra causa. Um banho quente ou vapor de um umidificador pode ajudar a soltar o catarro. Xaropes simples e pastilhas para tosse podem ser reconfortantes.

Cough suppressant medicines may help, especially for a night-time cough, but these usually contain codeine which can cause constipação if taken excessively.

For more information, see the separate leaflet called Chronic Persistent Cough in Adults.