ANTI TUSSIVES
Anti tussives are agents that are employed in the symptomatic control of cough by depressing cough centre situated in the medulla.
Coughing is a protective mechanism through which foreign materials, irritants and secretions are cleared from the respiratory tract.
Anti tussives can act either by raising threshold of the cough centre or by reducing the no of impulses transmitted to the cough centre from the peripheral receptors.
Classification
1. Centrally acting Anti tussives :-
It affects the cough centre in the medulla.
Example- Dextro methorphan Hydrobromide, Pholcodine, Noscapine, Carbeta pentane
2. Peripherally acting Anti tussives –
It acts at the receptor level in the respiratory tract.
Example- Benzonatate.
Mechanism of action
Dextromethorphan control the cough by depressing the cough centre in the medulla. The potency is almost one-half of the codeine. But this drug does not producing addiction even after the usage of large doses for prolonged duration like codeine.
Benzonatate reducing the cough reflux at its source by anesthetizing the stretch receptors located in the respiratory passages and lungs.
About Author
- Dr. KALIRAJAN RAJAGOPAL
- Professor & HoD Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, JSS College of Pharmacy, (Constituent College, JSS Academy of Higher Education &Research-Deemed to be University, Mysuru) Ooty-643 001, The Nilgiris, Tamilnadu,INDIA The author has about 23 years of teaching and research experience. The Author has more than 110 research publications in reputed National and International journals and has H-index 16 by scopus. He has also published 9 books. He is a recognized research guide for Ph.D in JSS Academy of Health Education and Research and He served as editorial member and reviewer in many reputed National and International journals. He is the winner in Drug Discovery Hackathon-2020 for Covid-19 Drug discovery organized by Govt of India and also received a Research grant of 14.35 lakhs in phase-II research. He is nominated as BOS member in various universities. He has organized many national and International seminar/ workshop/ Conferences etc sponsored by various funding agencies.
