One of the body’s defence systems is the production of bronchial mucus, which is secreted by the goblet cells in the airways (more precisely: the Paneth cells of the alveolar epithelium). This mucus is produced continuously and transported upwards by the cilia of the epithelial cells. Its purpose includes clearing the respiratory tract of dust, debris and pathogens. This defence mechanism only functions effectively when the bronchial mucus is fluid.
A range of factors can influence mucus quality. Cold air, for example, slows tracheal mucociliary clearance. The functioning of cilia can also be negatively affected by chronic exposure to ammonia, for instance due to housing animals indoors and/or reduced ventilation during late autumn and winter. Bacterial pathogens may further hinder this defence mechanism, either by secreting toxins or by physically attaching to the cilia.
Effects of bromhexine
Bromhexine is a mucolytic agent. Although its exact mode of action is not yet fully understood, its clinical effect is clear: it promotes the bronchial secretion of mucus and reduces its viscosity, making it thinner and less sticky. As a result, the mucus becomes easier to cough up.
Bromhexine also increases membrane permeability in the bronchi, allowing immunoglobulins to enter the bronchial mucus more easily. This gives bromhexine mild anti-inflammatory properties, thereby further supporting this natural defence mechanism.
An additional benefit of bromhexine is its positive interaction with tetracyclines. Tetracyclines are substrates for efflux transporters, which actively pump them towards the cell surface—including into the alveolar space and thus into the mucus layer. When this mucus layer is fluid, the antibiotic can distribute more evenly, resulting in better efficacy compared with a thick, viscous mucus layer. The use of bromhexine can therefore contribute to the responsible use of antibiotics and to a faster recovery of affected animals.
It should be noted that this effect applies specifically to tetracyclines. Other antibiotics do not reach the alveolar space via active transport but via passive diffusion. Due to various pathophysiological factors, particularly polar molecules reach the alveolar space to a lesser extent.
Dophexine® 20 mg/g
Dophexine 20 mg/g contains bromhexine in the form of bromhexine hydrochloride. It is approved for oral use in cattle (calves), pigs, chickens, turkeys and ducks (not permitted for birds producing eggs for human consumption or during—or within four weeks prior to—the laying period). In addition to its short withdrawal periods (2 days for cattle and 0 days for all other species), it is highly water-soluble, which makes administration via drinking water or milk replacer easy.
More information
Would you like more information on the use of bromhexine? We are happy to support you. Please contact our Technical Support team at [email protected] or your account manager.
Patricia van Ginderen
Technical Support Veterinarian Swine
