Levodropropizine: Comprehensive Review of the Peripheral Antitussive

In Indian primary care settings, cough is the second most common presenting symptom, only after fever. Despite cough being just a symptom of an underlying condition, it can be distressing and impact quality of life (QoL). Hence, symptomatic treatment of cough may be prudent along with definitive treatment directed at the underlying etiology. In patients with nonproductive cough, antitussives satiate this role for symptomatic management. On this accord, levodropropizine, a nonopioid, peripheral antitussive, is a valuable agent compared to traditional central antitussives. It demonstrates comparable efficacy in reducing cough severity and frequency while exhibiting a superior safety profile, with minimal central nervous system (CNS) side effects. Moreover, it has also been extensively studied in diverse age-groups and in multiple etiologies. This comprehensive review aims to summarize the drug aspects, clinical evidence, and place in therapy with levodropropizine.