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| Clinical data | |
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| Trade names | Bisolvon, others |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | International Drug Names |
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| ATC code | |
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| Legal status | |
| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | 22-27%[2] |
| Protein binding | ~95%[3] |
| Metabolism | Extensive hepatic |
| Metabolites | Ambroxol, others |
| Elimination half-life | 6.6-31.4 hr[4] |
| Excretion | Urine |
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| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.020.622 |
| Chemical and physical data | |
| Formula | C14H20Br2N2 |
| Molar mass | 376.136 g·mol−1 |
| 3D model (JSmol) | |
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Bromhexine, sold under the brand name Bisolvon among others, is a mucolytic drug used in the treatment of respiratory disorders associated with viscid or excessive mucus.[5] It was developed in the research laboratory of Boehringer Ingelheim in the late 1950s as an active ingredient for pharmaceutical use, patented in 1961, introduced in 1963 under the trademark of Bisolvon® and came into medical use in 1966.[6]
Function
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Bromhexine is intended to support the body's mechanisms for clearing mucus from the respiratory tract. It is secretolytic, increasing the production of serous mucus in the respiratory tract, which makes the phlegm thinner and less viscous. This contributes to a secretomotoric effect, allowing the cilia to more easily transport the phlegm out of the lungs. For this reason it is often added to cough syrups.
It has been shown to increase the proportion of serous bronchial secretion, making it more easily expectorated. It is indicated as "secretolytic therapy in bronchopulmonary diseases associated with abnormal mucus secretion and impaired mucus transport".
Bromhexine is contained in various formulations, high and low strength syrups 8 mg/5 ml, 4 mg/5 ml, tablets and soluble tablets (both with 8 mg bromhexine) and solution for oral use 10 mg/5 ml, adapted to the need of the patients. The posology varies with the age and weight, but there are products for all age groups from infant on. Bromhexine is well established and tolerated.
Brand names
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Barkacin[7] Benadryl Chesty/Forte, Bisolvon, Brofentol, Brofentol Plus, Bromex, Bromhexin, Bromifar, Broncholyte Elixir, Bronkris, Cofdex, Duro-Tuss Chesty/Forte, Dysolvon, Flegamina, Movex, Mucocin, Mucohexin, Mucolyte, Paxirasol, Robitussin Chesty/Forte, Solvex, Vasican, Ventilate Forte (combination of bromhexine and salbutamol)
References
- ^ "Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard— June 2025) Instrument 2025" (pdf). Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). May 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
- ^ https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB09019#:~:text=The%20bioavailability%20is%20therefore%20reduced%20to%20approximately%2022%2D27%25
- ^ https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB09019#:~:text=Bromhexine%20is%20approximately%2095%25%20bound%20to%20plasma%20proteins
- ^ https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB09019#:~:text=half%2Dlife%20of%20bromhexine%20has%20been%20measured%20between%206.6%20and%2031.4%20hours
- ^ Morton I, Hall J (1999). Concise Dictionary of Pharmacological Agents. Springer. p. 55. ISBN 0-7514-0499-3. Retrieved 3 June 2009.
- ^ Fischer J, Ganellin CR (2006). Analogue-based Drug Discovery. John Wiley & Sons. p. 544. ISBN 9783527607495.
- ^ "BARKACINE". arakat Pharma. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
