Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Ex Vivo Intestinal Sacs to Assess Mucosal Permeability in Models of Gastrointestinal Disease
06:04

Ex Vivo Intestinal Sacs to Assess Mucosal Permeability in Models of Gastrointestinal Disease

Published on: February 9, 2016

Mucoactive drugs

R Balsamo1, L Lanata, C G Egan

  • 1Dompé SPA, Via San Martino 12-12a, Milan,Italy.

European Respiratory Review : an Official Journal of the European Respiratory Society
|October 20, 2010
PubMed

Insights

This review summarizes mucoactive drugs used to treat respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD. Understanding these agents, including expectorants and mucolytics, can improve mucus hypersecretion management.

Area of Science:

  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Mucus hypersecretion is a key symptom in severe respiratory conditions like asthma, cystic fibrosis, and COPD.
  • Inflammatory processes in airways contribute to increased mucus production and viscosity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review clinically relevant mucoactive drugs.
  • To summarize the potential mechanisms of action for these drugs.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of mucoactive agents.
  • Classification of drugs based on their mechanism of action.

Main Results:

  • Mucoactive agents are categorized as expectorants, mucoregulators, mucolytics, and mucokinetics.
  • These drugs aim to improve sputum expectoration or reduce mucus hypersecretion.

Conclusions:

  • Enhanced understanding of mucoactive drug mechanisms can optimize therapeutic strategies.
  • This review provides a summary of key mucoactive medications for respiratory diseases.

More Related Videos

Rapid Viscoelastic Characterization of Airway Mucus Using a Benchtop Rheometer08:47

Rapid Viscoelastic Characterization of Airway Mucus Using a Benchtop Rheometer

Published on: April 21, 2022

Three-dimensional Quantification of Intestinal Mucus Using Whole-mount Tissue Imaging05:10

Three-dimensional Quantification of Intestinal Mucus Using Whole-mount Tissue Imaging

Published on: September 12, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Sucralfate as Mucosal Protective Agents01:24

Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Sucralfate as Mucosal Protective Agents

In the intricate landscape of the gastric lumen, excessive acid secretion disrupts the natural defense mechanisms, weakening the mucus-bicarbonate barrier. This vulnerability allows pepsin to infiltrate epithelial cells, digesting mucosal proteins and triggering erosion, leading to ulcer formation.
In this scenario, mucosal protective agents like sucralfate play an essential role. Sucralfate, a complex of sulfated sucrose and aluminum hydroxide, demonstrates its usefulness in acidic conditions,...
Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview01:16

Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Upper respiratory tract disorders, including viral infections and allergic rhinitis, cause significant discomfort and disrupt daily life. Managing these conditions involves a variety of drugs, such as antihistamines, intranasal steroids, decongestants, antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics. Specific examples of drugs in each category are provided.
Antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl) block histamines from binding. Histamines are chemicals released during an allergic reaction in the body. As a...
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Other Laxatives01:20

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Other Laxatives

Laxatives are primarily used to alleviate constipation, a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by infrequent bowel movements and difficulty passing stools. They work by various mechanisms to increase the volume or frequency of bowel movements. The primary modes of action of laxatives include increasing stool bulk, softening the stool, stimulating intestinal motility, and osmotically drawing water into the intestines.
Osmotic or saline laxatives, like magnesium hydroxide or milk of...
Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Prostaglandin Analogs as Mucosal Protective Agents01:20

Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Prostaglandin Analogs as Mucosal Protective Agents

The gastric mucosa produces prostaglandins E2 (PGE2) and prostacyclin (PGI2), crucial in maintaining gastric health. They exert cytoprotective effects, including increasing bicarbonate secretion, releasing protective mucin, reducing gastric acid output, and preventing harmful vasoconstriction. These effects are mediated through various receptors, such as EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can induce peptic ulcers by inhibiting cyclooxygenase, decreasing...
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Adsorbents as Antidiarrheal Agents01:20

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Adsorbents as Antidiarrheal Agents

Diarrhea is characterized by the occurrence of frequent, watery bowel movements. Various factors can trigger diarrhea, including viral or bacterial infections, foodborne illnesses, side effects from certain medications, and underlying digestive disorders. If not adequately managed, diarrhea can lead to complications such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and nutrient deficiencies. Severe diarrhea can lead to significant weight loss, malnutrition, and weakened immune function.
Adsorbents...
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents01:18

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents

Acute diarrhea, a common gastrointestinal disturbance, is characterized by the rapid evacuation of fluid stools, leading to an excessive weight in fluid. This condition typically arises from disorders affecting intestinal water and electrolyte transport. It can be triggered by an increased osmotic load within the intestine, excessive secretion of electrolytes and water, mucosal exudation of protein and fluid, or altered intestinal motility. The primary risks of acute diarrhea are dehydration...