ATC Group: R02A Throat preparations

Ambroxol induces activation of the surfactant system by acting directly on the type II pneumocytes of the alveoles and the Clara cells in the region of the small airways. It promotes the formation and outward transfer of surface-active material in the alveolar and bronchial region of the foetal and adult lungs.

Benzocaine is a local anaesthetic of the ester type, acting to produce reversible loss of sensation by preventing or diminishing the generation and transmission of sensory nerve impulses near the site of application. Depolarisation of the neuronal membrane and ion exchange are reversibly inhibited.

Benzydamine exerts an anti-inflammatory and analgesic action by stabilising the cellular membrane and inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis.

Cetrimide is a quaternary ammonium cationic disinfectant with bactericidal activity against gram-positive and some gram-negative organisms. Cetrimide is relatively ineffective against viruses.

Cetylpyridinium is an antiseptic with activity against both gram positive and gram negative organisms.

Chlorhexidine is an antimicrobial agent, active against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms, yeasts, fungi, opportunistic anaerobes and aerobes. Chlorhexidine is mainly a “membrane-acting” agent that destroys the outer membrane of the bacteria. It is inactive on bacterial spores unless the temperatures are high.

Cocaine is a tropane alkaloid with central nervous systems (CNS) stimulating and local anesthetic activity. Cocaine binds to the dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine transport proteins and inhibits the re-uptake of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine into pre-synaptic neurons. This leads to an accumulation of the respective neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft and may result in increased postsynaptic receptor activation. The mechanism of action through which cocaine exerts its local anesthetic effects is by binding to and blocking the voltage-gated sodium channels in the neuronal cell membrane. By stabilizing neuronal membranes, cocaine inhibits the initiation and conduction of nerve impulses and produces a reversible loss of sensation.

Dequalinum is an anti-infective and antiseptic agent belonging to the class of quaternary ammonium compounds. The primary mechanism of action is an increase in bacterial cell permeability and the subsequent loss of enzyme activity, finally resulting in cell death.

Dichlorobenzyl alcohol has antiseptic properties.

Dyclonine effects surface anesthesia when applied topically to mucous membranes.

Flurbiprofen is a propionic acid derivative NSAID which acts through inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis. In humans flurbiprofen has potent analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Fusafungine is a cyclic depsipeptide antibiotic from Fusarium lateririum used for the treatment of nasal and throat infection including sinusitis, rhinitis, rhinopharyngitis, angina, laryngitis, and tracheitis. Fusafungine consists of a mixture of enniatins and showed bacteriostatic activity against a suite of microorganisms, such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, Streptococcus pneumoniae, S. pyogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Besides its bacteriostatic activity against most micro-organisms involved in respiratory tract infections fusafungine displays original anti-inflammatory properties. Fusafungine has multiple mechanisms of action, including downregulation of the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and inhibition of production of proinflammatory cytokines.

Gramicidin is an antimicrobial cyclic polypeptide active in vitro against many gram positive bacteria like Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, but not well against gram-negative ones like E.coli.

Lidocaine, like other local anaesthetics, causes a reversible blockade of impulse propagation along nerve fibres by preventing the inward movement of sodium ions through the nerve membrane. Local anaesthetics of the amide-type are thought to act within the sodium channels of the nerve membrane.

Neomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic and acts by binding to polysomes, inhibiting protein synthesis and generating errors in the transcription of the genetic code.

Povidone iodine is an iodophore that has an established use as a broad-spectrum antiseptic, mainly for the treatment of contaminated wounds and for the preoperative preparation of the skin, mucous membranes and the ocular surface. The organic complex contains approximately 10% of active available iodine. Solutions of povidone iodine gradually release iodine to exert an antimicrobial effect against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and spores. Although povidone iodine is less potent than preparations containing free iodine, it is also less toxic.

Tyrothricin is a circular polypeptide with antibiotic and bacteriostatic activity. It is effective against gram-positive bacteria.