Showing papers on "Antitussive Agent published in 1971"

Treatment of cough

Abstract: As mentioned previously in the chapter on the ‘mechanism of cough’, cough is an important host defence mechanism to clear sputum and foreign bodies from the airway. With the exception of psychogenic cough, cough receptors in the airway are stimulated, the impulse is transmitted to the cough centre, then cough is elicited through efferent nerves. Antitussives are classified depending on where they act in the cough reflex pathway: central antitussives that act on the cough centre, and peripheral antitussives that act on cough receptors. At present, agents classified as peripheral antitussives, including local anaesthetics, expectorants and mouthwashes, primarily have other effects and are broadly classified as antitussives only because of their secondary effects on cough receptors. Those classified more narrowly as antitussives are central cough suppressants. Central cough suppressants are classified as narcotic (e.g. Codeine Phosphate ) or non-narcotic (e.g. Asverin, Medicon, Toclase). Side-effects commonly seen with narcotic cough suppressants include constipation, drowsiness and difficulty in micturition. These side-effects, albeit mild, may also occur with non-narcotic cough suppressants. Cough suppressants are not specific therapy for cough, and their use should be limited to cough associated with other symptoms such as chest pain, headache, or rib fractures, where patient QOL is significantly affected. In patients with a productive cough, antitussives are contraindicated because they suppress sputum production and may worsen infection. 2. BRONCHODILATORS