erdosteine at a glance
Medicine class
Mucolytic and expectorant
Licensed role
Relieves symptoms during acute worsening of chronic bronchitis in adults
Administration
Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water
Food
Food does not affect absorption
What is erdosteine used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for adults.
Symptomatic treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis
Use as an expectorant to help clear airway mucus
How does erdosteine work?
Erdosteine is converted in the body to an active thiol metabolite. This disrupts bonds within airway mucus, reducing its viscosity and helping it to be cleared.
erdosteine preparations and strengths
Capsule
Route: Oral
Strengths: 300 mg
How to take erdosteine
Take erdosteine exactly as prescribed. Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water; it can be taken with or without food.
Do not open, chew or crush the capsule unless a pharmacist confirms this is appropriate.
Tell the prescriber if you have kidney or liver disease or a history of stomach ulcers.
erdosteine side effects
Common or expected effects
- Upper-abdominal or stomach pain, sometimes described as heartburn
- Less commonly: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or altered taste
- Less commonly: headache
Get urgent medical advice
- Sudden swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat
- Breathing difficulty, particularly with swelling, wheezing or an itchy raised rash
- A widespread or worsening hypersensitivity skin reaction
erdosteine in pregnancy
There is no clinical experience of erdosteine use during pregnancy, and the selected UK product does not recommend its use. Anyone who is pregnant, may be pregnant or is planning pregnancy should discuss alternatives with the prescriber.
erdosteine while breastfeeding
Evidence during breastfeeding is lacking, and the selected UK product does not recommend use. A prescriber or specialist pharmacist should assess whether another treatment is more suitable rather than breastfeeding being stopped without advice.
erdosteine interactions
No adverse medicine interactions are reported in the selected UK product information. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about prescription, non-prescription and herbal products you use.
Common questions about erdosteine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is erdosteine used for?
In the selected UK product, it is used as an expectorant and to relieve symptoms during an acute worsening of chronic bronchitis in adults.
Can erdosteine be taken with food?
Yes. Food does not affect its absorption.
Can erdosteine capsules be opened or chewed?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.