ANTI TUSSIVES

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.