A 60-year-old man with chronic bronchitis has tenacious, thick sputum that is difficult to expectorate. He is prescribed a mucolytic that acts by depolymerizing mucopolysaccharide fibers and stimulating surfactant synthesis. Which drug is described?

• A Bromhexine
• B Guaifenesin
• C Acetylcysteine
• D Ambroxol ✓

Explanation

Ambroxol depolymerizes acidic mucopolysaccharide fibers, stimulates surfactant production by type II pneumocytes, and enhances ciliary clearance. Bromhexine is its prodrug and has weaker evidence for surfactant stimulation. Acetylcysteine breaks disulfide bonds in mucus. Guaifenesin is an expectorant that increases respiratory tract secretions. The surfactant stimulation is the distinguishing feature.

Reference: Katzung Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 15th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.