Pentoxyverine

Pentoxyverine is a drug used as an antitussive. Unlike antitussives from the opioid group (codeine, dihydrocodeine, hydrocodone), pentoxyverine has no significant respiratory depressant effect.

As an agonist, pentoxyverine binds to and stimulates sigma-1 receptors in the cough center of the brain. As an antagonist, it has an inhibitory effect on muscarinic M1 receptors. These two interactions lead to an increase in the stimulus threshold in the cough centre. The cough reflex is reduced. In addition, however, pentoxyverine also has anticholinergic, mild local anaesthetic and bronchodilating properties, so it also acts peripherally. Unlike codeine-containing cough suppressants, pentoxyverine is not addictive and does not reduce respiratory effort. Since pentoxyverine does not affect breathing, the pharmaceutical can also be used as a cough suppressant in underlying diseases such as asthma or COPD. The cough-suppressing effect of pentoxyverine occurs about 10 minutes after ingestion and lasts for about 6 hours. The good tolerability of pentoxyverine allows a duration of therapy in self-medication of up to 2 weeks. A dependence and abuse potential could not be determined.

Pentoxyverine is used for the short-term treatment of irritable cough. The active substance dampens the cough and is taken, for example, in syrup or drop form or administered rectally as a suppository. The substance is characterised by a rapid onset of action (after about 15 minutes) and a long-lasting effect (up to six hours). Pentoxyverine is recommended for adults and children from the age of two years.

Possible undesirable side effects of pentoxyverine are observed in particular pain in the upper abdomen, somnolence, fatigue, nausea and dry mouth.

Pentoxyverine AL; Sedotussin cough suppressant 2.13 mg/ml juice, oral solution; Silomat for irritable coughs;

Pentoxyverine has been in use for more than 50 years. However, the benefit of pentoxyverine has not yet been proven by independent studies, but is considered to be given.