Guaifenesin

Last updated

Guaifenesin
Guaifenesin.svg
Guaifenesin molecule spacefill.png
Clinical data
Pronunciation /ɡwaɪˈfɛnɪsɪn/ [1]
Trade names Mucinex, others
Other namesGlyceryl guaiacolate
AHFS/Drugs.com Monograph
MedlinePlus a682494
License data
Routes of
administration 		By mouth
Drug class Expectorant
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Pharmacokinetic data
Metabolism Kidney
Elimination half-life 1–5 hours [3]
Identifiers
  • (RS)-3-(2-methoxyphenoxy)propane-1,2-diol
CAS Number
PubChem CID
IUPHAR/BPS
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard 100.002.021 OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Chemical and physical data
Formula C10H14O4
Molar mass 198.218 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
Chirality Racemic mixture
  • O(c1ccccc1OC)CC(O)CO
  • InChI=1S/C10H14O4/c1-13-9-4-2-3-5-10(9)14-7-8(12)6-11/h2-5,8,11-12H,6-7H2,1H3 Yes check.svgY
  • Key:HSRJKNPTNIJEKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Yes check.svgY
   (verify)

Guaifenesin, also known as glyceryl guaiacolate, is an expectorant medication taken by mouth and marketed as an aid to eliminate sputum from the respiratory tract. Chemically, it is an ether of guaiacol and glycerine. It may be used in combination with other medications. [4] A 2014 study found that guaifenesin does not affect sputum volume in upper respiratory infections (the upper respiratory system includes most breathing parts above the lungs). [5] [6]

Contents

Side effects may include dizziness, sleepiness, skin rash, and nausea. [4] While it has not been properly studied in pregnancy, it appears to be safe. [7] It has been alleged to work in 2023 [4] by making airway secretions more liquid, even as it has been demonstrated not to work. [5] [6]

Guaifenesin has been used medically since at least 1933. [8] It is available as a generic medication and over-the-counter (OTC). [4] [7] In 2022, it was the 295th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 400,000 prescriptions. [9] [10] In 2022, the combination dextromethorphan/guaifenesin was the 290th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 400,000 prescriptions. [9] [11]

Medical uses

Guaifenesin is used to try to help with coughing up thick mucus. It is sometimes combined with the antitussive (cough suppressant) dextromethorphan, such as in Mucinex DM or Robitussin DM. [12] It is also combined with ephedrine in Primatene and Bronkaid tablets for symptomatic relief of asthma. Guaifenesin is combined with phenylephrine and paracetamol in certain Lemsip formulations. [13]

A Cochrane review identified three clinical trials assessing guaifenesin for the treatment of acute cough, with one finding significant benefit and the other two trials finding that it was not effective. [14]

Side effects

Although generally well-tolerated, side effects of guaifenesin may include an allergic reaction (rare), nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or headache. [15] [16]

Pharmacology

Mechanism of action

Guaifenesin might act as an expectorant by increasing the volume and reducing the viscosity of secretions in the trachea and bronchi via stimulation of the gastric mucosa. This stimulation leads to an increased parasympathetic activity in the respiratory tract via the so-called gastro-pulmonary reflex, although some in vitro studies suggested that it might also act directly on the respiratory epithelium. [17] This increase in volume and reduction in viscosity aids in the flow of respiratory tract secretions, allowing ciliary movement to carry the loosened secretions upward toward the pharynx. [18] [19] Thus, guaifenesin may increase the efficiency of the cough reflex and facilitate the removal of the secretions. Additionally, guaifenesin has a demonstrated central antitussive effect. [20]

History

Similar medicines derived from the guaiac tree were used as a generic remedy by American indigenous peoples when explorers reached North America in the 16th century. The Spanish encountered guaiacum wood "when they conquered Santo Domingo; it was soon brought back to Europe, where it acquired an immense reputation in the sixteenth century as a cure for syphilis and certain other diseases..." [21]

The 1955 edition of the Textbook of Pharmacognosy states: "Guaiacum has a local stimulant action which is sometimes useful in sore throat. The resin is used in chronic gout and rheumatism, whilst the wood is an ingredient in the compound concentrated solution of sarsaparilla, which was formerly much used as an alternative in syphilis." [21]

In the US, guaifenesin was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1952. Although previously deemed "Generally Regarded as Safe" in its original approval, the drug received a New Drug Application for the extended-release version, which received approval on 12 July 2002. [22] Because of this, the FDA then issued letters to other manufacturers of timed-release guaifenesin to stop marketing their unapproved versions, leaving Adams Respiratory Therapeutics in control of the market. In 2007, Adams was acquired by Reckitt Benckiser. [23] [24] The drug is now sold over-the-counter by many companies, alone and in combination. [25]

Veterinary use

Guaifenesin's neurological properties first became known in the late 1940s. Guaifenesin is a centrally acting muscle relaxant used routinely in large-animal veterinary surgery. Guaifenesin is used in combination with, for example, ketamine, since guaifenesin does not provide analgesia or produce unconsciousness. [26] [27] In horses, the drug's biological half-life is 77 minutes. Premedication with xylazine (1.1 mg/kg) can reduce the dose required from 163 mg/kg (in geldings) to just 88 mg/kg. [27]

Society and culture

Brand names

Guaifenesin is taken by mouth, [4] and is supplied as a tablet, a capsule, an extended-release (long-acting) tablet, dissolving granules, and a syrup. [16] It is available under many brand names, as either the sole active ingredient or part of a combination drug. [16] Drugs combined with guaifenesin in over-the-counter preparations include the cough-suppressant dextromethorphan, analgesics such as paracetamol/acetaminophen, and decongestants such as ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylephrine. [16]

Economics

In 2014, sales of guaifenesin were estimated to be approximately $135 million per year in the United States. [6]

Research

Guaifenesin in fibromyalgia

In the 1990s, Paul St. Amand, M.D., suggested guaifenesin as part of a fibromyalgia treatment protocol. The results of a one-year 1996 randomized clinical trial did not support the hypothesis. As of 2015, the FDA had not approved guaifenesin as a drug treatment for the disorder. [28] However, results of a 2017 multicenter, placebo-controlled, repeat-dose, parallel study of 77 randomly assigned adults, suggested potential for OTC dose of oral guaifenesin 1200 mg BID to provide symptomatic relief of upper back musculoskeletal pain and spasm. [29]

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. ↑ "Guaifenesin Definition & Meaning". Merriam-Webster.
  2. ↑ "FDA-sourced list of all drugs with black box warnings (Use Download Full Results and View Query links.)". nctr-crs.fda.gov. FDA . Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  3. ↑ Aluri JB, Stavchansky S (1993). "Determination of guaifenesin in human plasma by liquid chromatography in the presence of pseudoephedrine". J Pharm Biomed Anal. 11 (9): 803–808. doi:10.1016/0731-7085(93)80072-9. PMID   8218524.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Guaifenesin: Monograph for Professionals". Drugs.com, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. 23 January 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  5. 1 2 Hoffer-Schaefer A, Rozycki HJ, Yopp MA, Rubin BK (May 2014). "Guaifenesin has no effect on sputum volume or sputum properties in adolescents and adults with acute respiratory tract infections". Respiratory Care. 59 (5): 631–636. doi: 10.4187/respcare.02640 . PMID   24003241.
  6. 1 2 3 O'Connell OJ (May 2014). "Is extended-release guaifenesin no better than a placebo?". Respir Care. 59 (5): 788–9. doi:10.4187/respcare.03319. PMID   24789023.
  7. 1 2 Weiner CP, Rope K (2013). The Complete Guide to Medications During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Everything You Need to Know to Make the Best Choices for You and Your Baby . St. Martin's Press. p. PT282. ISBN   9781250037206.
  8. ↑ Riviere JE, Papich MG (2013). Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. John Wiley & Sons. p. 287. ISBN   9781118685907.
  9. 1 2 "The Top 300 of 2022". ClinCalc. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  10. ↑ "Guaifenesin Drug Usage Statistics, United States, 2013 - 2022". ClinCalc. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  11. ↑ "Dextromethorphan; Guaifenesin Drug Usage Statistics, United States, 2013 - 2022". ClinCalc. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  12. ↑ "Guaifenesin DM". WebMD.com.
  13. ↑ "Lemsip Max All in One". LemsipUK. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  14. ↑ Smith SM, Schroeder K, Fahey T (November 2014). "Over-the-counter (OTC) medications for acute cough in children and adults in community settings". Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 (11): CD001831. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001831.pub5. PMC   7061814 . PMID   25420096.
  15. ↑ "Guaifenesin Side Effects". Drugs.com. 3 July 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  16. 1 2 3 4 "Guaifenesin". MedlinePlus, United States National Library of Medicine. 15 January 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  17. ↑ Albrecht HH, Dicpinigaitis PV, Guenin EP (11 December 2017). "Role of guaifenesin in the management of chronic bronchitis and upper respiratory tract infections". Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine. 12 (1): 31. doi: 10.1186/s40248-017-0113-4 . PMC   5724298 . PMID   29238574.
  18. ↑ Gutierrez K (2007). Pharmacotherapeutics: clinical reasoning in primary care. St. Louis, Mo: Saunders Elsevier. ISBN   978-1-4160-3287-8.
  19. ↑ Ohar JA, Donohue JF, Spangenthal S (October 2019). "The Role of Guaifenesin in the Management of Chronic Mucus Hypersecretion Associated with Stable Chronic Bronchitis: A Comprehensive Review". Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases. 6 (4): 341–349. PMID   31647856.
  20. ↑ Ohar JA, Donohue JF, Spangenthal S (October 2019). "The Role of Guaifenesin in the Management of Chronic Mucus Hypersecretion Associated with Stable Chronic Bronchitis: A Comprehensive Review". Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases. 6 (4): 341–349. PMID   31647856.
  21. 1 2 Wallis TE (1955). Textbook of Pharmacognosy .
  22. ↑ "Drug Approval Package: Mucinex (Guaifenesin) NDA #21-282". accessdata.fda.gov. 25 November 2002. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  23. ↑ "Announcements RB Press release - 10/12/2007". Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
  24. ↑ Goldstein J (25 May 2007). "FDA Bumps Phlegm-Fighters From Market". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
  25. ↑ "Guaifenesin (Oral Route) Description and Brand Names". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  26. ↑ Tranquilli WJ, Thurmon JC, Grimm KA, eds. (2007). "Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants". Lumb and Jones' Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (2nd ed.). Blackwell Publishing.
  27. 1 2 Valverde A (April 2013). "Balanced anesthesia and constant-rate infusions in horses". Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 29 (1): 89–122. doi:10.1016/j.cveq.2012.11.004. PMID   23498047.
  28. ↑ "Table 1, FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of fibromyalgia". January 2015.
  29. ↑ Collaku A, Yue Y, Reed K (2017). "Efficacy and safety of guaifenesin for upper back, neck, and shoulder pain: a Phase II proof-of-concept, multicenter, placebo-controlled, repeat-dose, parallel-group study". Journal of Pain Research. 10: 669–678. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S126296 . PMC   5367561 . PMID   28356767.
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