Bromhexine

Bromhexine

Clinical data
Trade names	Bisolvon, others
AHFS/Drugs.com	International Drug Names
Pregnancy category	AU:A
ATC code	R05CB02 ( WHO )
Legal status
Legal status	AU: S2 (Pharmacy medicine) [1]
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	75–80%
Metabolism	Extensive hepatic
Metabolites	Ambroxol, others
Elimination half-life	12 hr
Excretion	Urine
Identifiers
IUPAC name 2,4-Dibromo-6-{[cyclohexyl(methyl)amino]methyl}aniline
CAS Number	3572-43-8  Y
PubChem CID	2442
DrugBank	DB09019  N
ChemSpider	2348  Y
UNII	Q1J152VB1P
KEGG	D07542  Y
ChEBI	CHEBI:77032  N
ChEMBL	ChEMBL253376  Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID6022686
ECHA InfoCard	100.020.622
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C14H20Br2N2
Molar mass	376.136 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
SMILES Brc1cc(c(N)c(Br)c1)CN(C)C2CCCCC2
InChI InChI=1S/C14H20Br2N2/c1-18(12-5-3-2-4-6-12)9-10-7-11(15)8-13(16)14(10)17/h7-8,12H,2-6,9,17H2,1H3 Y Key:OJGDCBLYJGHCIH-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
NY  (what is this?)    (verify)

Bromhexine, sold under the brand name Bisolvon among others, is a mucolytic drug used in the treatment of respiratory disorders associated with viscid or excessive mucus. ^[2] It was developed in the research laboratory of Boehringer Ingelheim in the late 1950s as an active ingredient for pharmaceutical use, patented in 1961, introduced in 1963 under the trademark of Bisolvon® and came into medical use in 1966. ^[3]

Function

Bromhexine is intended to support the body's mechanisms for clearing mucus from the respiratory tract. It is secretolytic, increasing the production of serous mucus in the respiratory tract, which makes the phlegm thinner and less viscous. This contributes to a secretomotoric effect, allowing the cilia to more easily transport the phlegm out of the lungs. For this reason it is often added to cough syrups.

It has been shown to increase the proportion of serous bronchial secretion, making it more easily expectorated. It is indicated as "secretolytic therapy in bronchopulmonary diseases associated with abnormal mucus secretion and impaired mucus transport".

Bromhexine is contained in various formulations, high and low strength syrups 8 mg/5 ml, 4 mg/5 ml, tablets and soluble tablets (both with 8 mg bromhexine) and solution for oral use 10 mg/5 ml, adapted to the need of the patients. The posology varies with the age and weight, but there are products for all age groups from infant on. Bromhexine is well established and tolerated.

Brand names

• Barkacin
• Benadryl Chesty/Forte
• Bisolvon
• Brofentol
• Brofentol Plus
• Bromex
• Bromhexin
• Bromifar
• Broncholyte Elixir
• Bronkris
• Cofdex
• Duro-Tuss Chesty/Forte
• Dysolvon
• Flegamina
• Movex
• Mucohexin
• Mucolyte
• Paxirasol
• Robitussin Chesty/Forte
• Solvex
• Vasican
• Ventilate Forte (combination of bromhexine and salbutamol)

References

1. "Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard— June 2025) Instrument 2025" (pdf). Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). May 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
2. Morton I, Hall J (1999). Concise Dictionary of Pharmacological Agents. Springer. p. 55. ISBN   0-7514-0499-3 . Retrieved 3 June 2009.
3. Fischer J, Ganellin CR (2006). Analogue-based Drug Discovery. John Wiley & Sons. p. 544. ISBN   9783527607495.