LINTOS ® is a drug based on Ambroxol hydrochloride
THERAPEUTIC GROUP: Mucolytics
Indications Lintos ® Ambroxol
LINTOS ® is used in the symptomatic treatment of respiratory diseases characterized by hypersecretion of thick and viscous mucus.
Mechanism of action Lintos ® Ambroxol
LINTOS ® is a medicinal specialty, used in the therapeutic field as a mucolytic, based on Ambroxol, an active ingredient chemically obtained from Bromhexine and with numerous biological activities that make it one of the most widely used molecules in the clinical field today.
Taken orally, this active ingredient is rapidly absorbed by the gastrointestinal mucosa, reaching the pulmonary area after a few tens of minutes, the main seat of its therapeutic activity, and carrying out this function for over 7 hours, at the end of which, after a metabolism hepatic, is eliminated by the kidney.
In light of recent scientific evidence, the clinical efficacy of Ambroxol is essentially due to:
- the antioxidant activity, useful in protecting the respiratory mucosa from the oxidative insult exerted by the reactive oxygen species;
- to the anti-inflammatory activity, exercised through the control of the secretion of inflammatory cytokines responsible for the recruitment of elements of inflammation in the site;
- to the action inducing the production of surfactant, useful in improving lung activity;
- the ability to optimize the chemical composition of the mucus, improving its fluidity;
- the ability to induce an improvement in the mucociliary activity of the upper respiratory tract.
Studies carried out and clinical efficacy
CLINICAL EFFECTIVENESS OF AMBROXOL
Intern Med. 2002 Dec; 41: 1175-8.
Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis successfully treated with ambroxol.
Hashizume T.
Interesting clinical case that demonstrates how treatment with Ambroxol at 45 mg daily was decisive for a 79-year-old patient with severe dyspnoea and marked hypereosinophilia, such as to determine the formation of hyperdense mucus.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTION OF "AMBROXOL
Intensive Care Med. 2004 Jan; 30: 133-40. Epub 2003 Sep 20.
Inhibition of inflammatory responses by ambroxol, a mucolytic agent, in a murine model of acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide.
Su X, Wang L, Song Y, Bai C.
Experimental study that underlines the impressive anti-inflammatory capacities of Ambroxol demonstrating the ability of this active principle in reducing the secretion of inflammatory cytokines during lipopolysaccharide-mediated infection.
ANTIOXIDANT ACTION OF AMBROXOL
Clin Exp Med. 2004 Dec; 4: 152-8.
In vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity of ambroxol.
Stetinová V, Herout V, Kvetina J.
Interesting study conducted both in vivo and in vitro, which demonstrates how treatment with Ambroxol can significantly reduce the cytological and histological damage induced by reactive oxygen species in the gastric mucosa.
Method of use and dosage
LINTOS ®
Syrup of 30 mg of Ambroxol per 10 ml of product.
Underlining how the decision of the dosage and timing of intake is up to the doctor, after having carefully assessed the patient's state of health, in principle the intake of 10 ml of syrup a day 3 times a day for a few days, would result effective in adult patients to ensure rapid improvement of the complained symptoms.
Warnings Lintos ® Ambroxol
Although the use of LINTOS ® is generally well tolerated and free from clinically relevant side effects, the patient should consult their doctor before taking this drug.
Pathological conditions such as severe liver and kidney diseases, peptic ulcer rather than difficulty in breathing and expectoration, could compromise the safety of therapy with Ambroxol, sometimes defining even serious pictures of broncho-pulmonary obstruction.
LINTOS ® contains:
- sorbitol, resulting therefore not very indicated in patients with fructose intolerance;
- glycerol, responsible for headache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea;
- benzoic acid, potentially responsible for jaundice in infants.
PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING
The ability of Ambroxol to cross the placental barrier and the mammary filter, exposing itself in relevant concentrations to both the fetus and the infant, extend the aforementioned contraindications to the use of LINTOS ® also to pregnancy and the subsequent period of breastfeeding.
Interactions
Ambroxol may increase the concentrations of certain antibiotics in broncho-pulmonary secretions and saliva, without however compromising their clinical efficacy.
Contraindications Lintos ® Ambroxol
The use of LINTOS ® is contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to the active substance or to one of its excipients, in patients with gastro-duodenal ulcer, in patients with severe liver and kidney diseases and in small patients aged less than 2 years.
Undesirable Effects - Side Effects
Ambroxol, especially when administered for a long time, could cause the onset of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, oral hypoesthesia and dry mouth.
Fortunately, the clinically more relevant adverse reactions such as those related to hypersensitivity of the active ingredient are rarer.
Note
LINTOS ® is a non-prescription drug.
The information on Lintos ® Ambroxol published on this page may be out of date or incomplete. For a correct use of this information, see the Disclaimer and useful information page.
