RIAXINE SYRUP 100ML

Indications

Approved Uses

Symptomatic treatment of respiratory tract disorders associated with viscid mucus and productive cough (e.g., acute/chronic bronchitis and other conditions with mucus retention).

Off-Label Uses

Adjunct to aid mucus clearance in conditions with tenacious secretions (e.g., bronchiectasis); use in cystic fibrosis has been described but is not a standard, guideline-preferred mucolytic strategy in many settings.

Dosage & Administration

Dosing by Condition

Productive Cough (Adults and children >12 years): 10ml (8mg) three times daily. Children 6-12 years: 5ml (4mg) three times daily. Children 2-5 years: 2.5ml (2mg) three times daily.

Initial Dose

Adults: 10 ml (8 mg) three times daily

Maintenance Dose

Adults: 10 ml (8 mg) two to three times daily

Maximum Dose

Adults: 16 mg three times daily (maximum 48 mg/day).

How to Take

Shake well before use; measure the dose with a calibrated measuring spoon/cup or oral syringe; may be taken with or without food; maintain adequate fluid intake to help mucus clearance.

Side Effects

Common Side Effects

Gastrointestinal upset (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal/epigastric pain), headache, dizziness; may rarely cause hypersensitivity reactions including rash/urticaria and very rarely severe cutaneous reactions.

Safety & Warnings

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to bromhexine or any excipient.

Age Restriction

Not recommended in children under 2 years unless specifically prescribed/closely supervised by a physician; can be used from age ≥2 years with age-appropriate dosing.

Drug Interactions

Drug Interactions

May increase penetration of some antibiotics into bronchial secretions (e.g., amoxicillin, erythromycin, cefuroxime/other tetracyclines); avoid routine combination with antitussives (e.g., codeine, dextromethorphan) as it may impair mucus clearance.

Food Interaction

No restriction

Storage & Patient Advice

Missed Dose

Take as soon as remembered; skip if it is almost time for the next dose; do not double the dose

Overdose

Expected symptoms are mainly gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea/abdominal discomfort, possible hypersalivation); management is supportive/symptomatic, consider decontamination if a large recent ingestion, and seek urgent medical advice/poison center guidance.

Patient Counseling

Shake well and measure doses accurately; drink plenty of fluids; avoid combining with cough suppressants unless advised; stop and seek medical care if rash/blistering or other hypersensitivity occurs; seek medical advice if symptoms persist/worsen or last ~5-7 days, or if fever/shortness of breath occurs.

Pharmacology

Mechanism of Action

Reduces mucus viscosity by depolymerizing mucopolysaccharide fibers and increasing serous bronchial secretions, thereby enhancing mucociliary clearance and expectoration.

Onset of Action

Some symptomatic effect may begin within hours, but clinically noticeable benefit is typically seen after 2-3 days of regular use.

Duration of Effect

Typically dosed 2-3 times daily; clinical mucus-thinning benefit is maintained over the dosing interval rather than a precisely defined single-dose duration.

Half-Life

Terminal elimination half-life is approximately 12 hours (with multi-compartment kinetics); ambroxol (active metabolite) has a longer half-life (often ~10 hours or more depending on source).

Bioavailability

Low absolute oral bioavailability (approximately 20-30%) due to significant first-pass metabolism.

Metabolism

Extensive hepatic first-pass metabolism; primarily via oxidative pathways (e.g., demethylation/hydroxylation) to metabolites including ambroxol (an active metabolite).

Excretion

Primarily renal excretion, mainly as metabolites (roughly 85-90% in urine), with a smaller fraction via feces.

Protein Binding

Highly protein bound, approximately 95%.

Product Information

Available Dosage Forms

Tablet, Syrup, Oral Solution, Inhalation Solution.

Composition per Dose

Each 5 ml: Bromhexine hydrochloride 4 mg (equivalent to 0.8 mg/ml)

Generic Availability

Yes

OTC Alternatives

Guaifenesin (expectorant), ambroxol (mucolytic), and N-acetylcysteine (mucolytic) where available OTC locally.

Symptom Target

Cough

Sedating

No

Reviewed by Al Mujtama Pharmacy Medical Review Team. Last reviewed 23-08-2026