18 years
Are ambroxol meds ( fluibron, mucosolvant...) more effective or guaifanesin meds(actifed expectorant...)?? Or is there an other expectorant which is more effective than these 2 ??
Mar 15, 2015
Ambroxol is thought to stimulate surfactant (the fluid that coats the lung unst, or alveoli, and works to reduce the surface tension, and mucus secretion, yet at the same time it can help in rendering mucus viscosity "normal" in viscid secretions. The results of clinical studies of ambroxol are conflicting in that some found clinical benefit, whereas others did not.
Guaifenesin has no mucolytic (muco- for mucus, lytic for break down) action, but may reduce bronchial sputum surface tension. No evidence is available to suggest antiseptic or anti-tussive (cough suppression) effects. The main benefit offered by guaifenesin seems to be as an expectorant for the symptomatic treatment of coughs, producing small quantities of thick viscous secretions. Guaifenesin can stimulate mucus secretion from the airway glands. However, guaifenesin has not been shown to be clinically effective in randomized controlled trials.
By and large, the most effective expectorant is water: keeping well hydrated, and sometimes using water vapor, will help loosen up secretions and mobilize them.
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