[Butamirate citrate in control of cough in respiratory tract inflammation]

Cough is the reflex defense response of the respiratory tract to the present secretions in the throat, trachea and bronchi, and ongoing inflammation in the mucous membranes of the upper and lower respiratory tract. From a practical point of view, cough is dry (unproductive) and productive cough with expulsion of significant amounts of secretion. Drugs used to treat cough differ in both mechanism of action and pharmacokinetic activity. Butamirate citrate belongs to a new class of cough suppressants acting centrally through the receptors in the brainstem. In addition, it has a very beneficial effect, because it reduces the resistance in the airways by inhibiting bronchospasm and anti-inflammatory effect. It is rapidly absorbed after oral administration and its therapeutic plasma concentration is determined after 5-10 minutes of administration, irrespective of the dose. Possible side effects are rarely seen in 0.5-1% of patients, mainly in the form of skin rash, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, which usually resolves during treatment. The cough effect of most cough suppressants is good, but their mechanisms are different and for that reason they should be individually selected. An important asset of this group of drugs is peripheral activity and effects on bronchodilator muscles, such as in the case of butamirate. Inclusion of this feature is particularly beneficial in chronic inflammatory bronchial diseases.