Bromhexine
Bromhexine is a bronchial secretolytic and mucolytic agent used in veterinary medicine to aid in the management of respiratory diseases characterized by thick, viscous mucus. **Clinical Pearl:** It is often used as an adjunct therapy in conditions like tracheobronchitis, pneumonia, and chronic respiratory disease to improve airway clearance.
Mechanism: Bromhexine acts as a **bronchial secretolytic**. It disrupts the structure of **acid mucopolysaccharide fibres** in mucoid sputum → produces a less viscous mucus → makes it easier to expectorate and clear from the respiratory tract. **Clinical Pearl:** It may also increase the concentration of certain antibiotics in bronchial secretions, enhancing their efficacy in respiratory infections.
Dosing by species
- Mucolysis · 3-15 mg/dog · IM · q12h
- Mucolysis · 2 mg/kg · PO · q12h
- Mucolysis · 3 mg/cat · IM · q24h
- Mucolysis · 1 mg/kg · PO · q24h
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Routes of administration
Contraindications
- Use with caution in patients with gastric ulceration
Adverse effects
- Generally well tolerated
- Mild gastrointestinal upset (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) possible
Drug interactions
- Antibiotics (e.g., oxytetracycline, amoxicillin, erythromycin) · May increase antibiotic concentration in bronchial secretions · minor
Monitoring
- Clinical signs of respiratory improvement
- Character and volume of respiratory secretions
Overdose
Overdose is rarely reported but may result in gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting and diarrhea. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
VetSheet drug reference is intended for licensed veterinary professionals as a clinical decision-support aid, not a substitute for professional judgement or the manufacturer’s current label.