Expectorants

Expectorants

Expectorants are the class of drugs that help in removing sputum from the respiratory tract either by

 Increasing the fluidity (or reducing the viscosity) of sputum Or

 Increasing the volume of fluids that have to be expelled from the respiratory tract by coughing.

They do not actually stop coughing. This is important because a productive cough should not be suppressed

because it is the body's way of removing excess mucus, foreign particles, or microorganisms from the

airways.

Expectorants also help to relieve chest congestion that occurs because of a cold, the flu, or allergies.
Classification of Expectorants According the their mechanism of action

1) Sedative expectorant

2) Stimulant expectorant
1. Sedative Expectorants :-

These are stomach irritant expectorants which are able to produce their effect through stimulation of gastric

reflexes.

e.g. Bitter drugs – Ipecac, Senega, Indian Squill

Compounds –Ammonium chloride, Sodium citrate, Potassium iodide, Antimony potassium tartrate.
2. Stimulant Expectorants :-
These are the expectorants which bring about a stimulation of the secretory cells of the respiratory tract
directly or indirectly.
Since these drugs stimulate secretion, more fluid in respiratory tract and sputum is diluted.
e.g. ­ Eucalyptus, lemon, anise ­ Active constituents of oil like terpine hydrate, anethole
AMMONIUM CHLORIDE
Mol. Formuls :- NH4Cl Mol. Weight :- 53.49 
Preparation:
Ammonium chloride is made by reacting hydrochloric acid with ammonia the solution is evaporated to dryness.

NH3 + HCl NH4Cl

The Product is Purified by recrystallisation or by sublimation .

Ammonium chloride is also prepared by heating ammonium sulphate with sodium chloride.

2NaCl + ( NH4)2SO4 2NH3 + 2HCl + Na2SO4

Ammonium sulphate

NH4Cl
Properties:-
Ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) is a weak inorganic acid, exists as a white crystalline powder or fine
crystals. As ammonium chloride is freely soluble in water.
It is an odorless.
A solution of contain 0.8 % W/V of Ammonium chloride is Isotonic with serum.
Identification Test
Acidity testing:- Dissolve 1 g of ammonium chloride in 10 ml distilled water.
Add few drops from methyl red indicator.

NH4Cl + 2H2O NH4OH + H3O+ + Cl-

Color of methyl red indicator according to change of pH

Chemical identification testing:

Make a solution of 0.1 g of ammonium chloride in water (2 ml) in a test tube.

Acidify with few drops 2M nitric acid.
Add 0.4 ml silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution and shake very well.

Observe the color.

what is the chemical structure of this precipitate?
Assay: Acid-base titration method.

NaOH

0.1 g of NH4Cl + 50 ml of H2O + 5 ml HCHO + 1 to 2 drops of phenolphthalein

Each ml of 0.1 N NaOH is equal to 0.005349 g of NH4Cl.

Assay:

It was previously assayed by precipitation titration by using the Volhard’s method.

Now, it is assayed by Acid-base titration method.

About 0.1 g of NH4Cl sample accurately weighed is kept in a conical flask, about 50 ml of water is added to

dissolve it followed by 5 ml of neutralized formaldehyde solution.

Formaldehyde solution may have a small amount of formic acid formed due to atmospheric oxidation. This should be carefully neutralized

with dilute sodium hydroxide solution, using phenolphthalein as an indicator. There should be no excess alkali in this reagent.

After keeping aside for a couple of minutes, the liberated hydrochloric acid is made to titrate with standard

sodium hydroxide solution, by adding some more of phenolphthalein indicator.

Each ml of 0.1 N sodium hydroxide consumed is equal to 0.005349 g of NH4Cl.

Ammonium chloride undergoes hydrolysis to yield ammonium hydroxide and hydrogen chloride, This reaction
is facilitated by adding formaldehyde. as it fixes ammonia, by forming hexamine.
The acid can now be titrated with alkali without interference.
These reactions can be represented as follows:

NH4Cl + H2O NH4OH + HCl

NH4OH + 6CH2O C6H12N4 + 10H2O

Hexamine

HCl + NaOH NaCl + H2O

Uses :
As expectorant in cough preparations.
As acidifying agent to correct metabolic alkalosis. Metabolic alkalosis is a metabolic condition in which the pH of
tissue is elevated beyond the normal range (7.35–7.45). Symptom neuromuscular irritability, tetany, abnormal heart
rhythms coma, seizures,
Potassium Iodide
Mol. Formula :- KI Mol. Weight :- 166
Preparation:-
Industrial methods of Preparation: It is obtained by the action of iodine on moist iron fillings to form
ferro-ferric iodide which then decomposed with potassium carbonate.; IIt consist the action of iodine on
moist iron filling to form ferro-ferric idide [FeI3 or FeI2, FeI3]. which then decompose with potassium
carbonate.
Ferro-Ferric Iodide
Fe + I2 FeI2; FeI3

Ferro-Ferric Iodide Potassium carbonate

Ferroso-ferric oxide
FeI2; FeI3 + 4K2CO3 8KI + FeO;Fe2O3 + CO2

Ferroso ferric oxide is filtered out. The filtrate is concentrated to get KI. The salt may be purified by
Properties:-
Colorless; odorless; transparent or opaque crystal or white granular powder.
It has saline and bitter taste.
It is soluble in water ( 1gm in 0.7 ml)
Glycerin ( 1gm in 2 ml)
Alcohols ( 1gm in 23 ml) and Acetone ( 1gm in 75 ml)

Aqueous solution of KI dissolves Iodine to form KI3

KI + I2 KI3
Use:-
It is use as expectorant in cough preparations.
It also have mild antifungal activity.
Supplying iodine for treatment of thyroid deficiency.
Emetics
Emetics (Vomiting )
Emetics are the drug which cause the vomiting.

It is defined as the process of evacuation or elimination of gastric content.

An emetic is very helpful for the elimination of the harmful substance from stomach and duodenum when poison

is known to have been swallowed.

General Classes of Emetics

Drugs acting on the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) of the medulla.

e.g. Apomorphine

Drug acting on the stomach ( Local irritation of gastric mucosa)

e.g. Ipecacuanha, Ammonium bicarbonate.

Copper sulphate
Mol. Formula :- CuSO4.5H20 Mol. Weight :- 249.7
Preparation:-
It is obtained by roasting copper containing sulphide ore in presence of air, or by heating copper in furnace with
Sulphur.
The mixture of copper sulphate an CuO formed is treated with H2SO4 it will give the ppt of Copper Sulpate.

2Cu + 2H2SO4 + O2 2CuSo4 + 2H2O

Properties:-

Cupric sulfate, or copper sulphate, is the inorganic compound with the chemical formula CuSO4(H2O)x, where

x can range from 0 to 5. The pentahydrate (x = 5) is the most common form.

It exists in bright blue crystalline granules or powder.

Anhydrous copper sulfate is a white powder.

It is soluble in water, very soluble in boiling water, slowly soluble in glycerine, and almost insoluble in alcohol.

Its aqueous solution have been acidic to litmus paper.

Assay:

1 g copper sulphate + 50 ml water + 3 gm potassium iodide + 5 ml glacial acetic acid in

conical flask.
Titrate the liberated iodine with sodium thiosulphate solution using starch as an indicator.
Continue the titration till dark blue colour of starch becomes light blue.
Now add 2 gm of potassium thiocynate and ammonium thiocyante mixture preferably in
solution form. Now intense blue color will be produced.
Without wasting time continue the titration till the blue colour disappears and the precipitate
possess a pale pink colour.

1 ml of 0.1 N Na2S203 = 0.02497 g of CuSO4.5H20

Storage

It has to be protected from air, heat and moisture.

Uses.

It finds use as an emetic in a dose, of 300 mg in 30 ml of water.

Also use externally as fungicide and as astringent.

Potassium sodium tartrate
KNaC4H4O6·4H2O 282.1

Preparation :- Potassium bitartrate with 68 % tartaric acid first dissolved in water then saponified with hot
NaOH [caustic soda] to pH 8, decolorized with activated charcoal, filtered. The filtrate is evaporated at 100 °C.
The salt is separated from the mother liquor by centrifugation

Properties:-
It is a large colorless monoclinic needles.
Uses.

It finds use as an emetic in water.

It has been used medicinally as a laxative [increase bowel movements].

It is an ingredient of Fehling's solution.

It is used as a combustion accelerator in cigarette paper.

also an ingredient in the Biuret reagent which is used to measure protein concentration.
Haematinics
Haematinics
A medicine that increases the haemoglobin content of the blood; used to treat iron-
deficiency anaemia.
The main hematinics are iron, B12, and folate B9.
Ferrous Sulphate
Mol. Formula :- FeSO4.7H20 Mol. Weight :- 278.0

Preparation:-
It is obtained by dissolving iron in excess of dil. Sulphuric acid. After effervescence ceases, the liquid is filtered
and cooled.
The green colour crystal formed. All the procedure should carried free from exposure to air as ferrous sulphate is
oxidized and crystal get coated with brownish yellow ferric sulphate.

Fe + H2SO4 FeSo4 + H2↑

Properties:-

It occurs in the form of greenish crystal or crystalline powder.

Astringent taste. (Numbs the tongue, rough)

When exposed to air it gets oxidized to ferric salt which is having brownish yellow colour.

Soluble in water and insoluble in alcohols.

Ferrous sulphate when heated decomposes to yield ferric oxide, sulphur dioxide and sulphuric acid.

2 (FeSO4.7H20) Fe2O3 + SO2 + H2SO4 + 13H2O

Ferric oxide

Ferrous sulphate react with sodium carbonate solution, CO2 is evolved

Assay:
Method 1

It is assayed by oxidation and reduction type of reaction using 0.1 N KMnO4 solution in the presence of dil.

H2SO4.

Weigh accurately 1gm FeSO4.7H20 is dissolve in 20 ml of dil. H2SO4. then titrate with 0.1 N KMnO4

Each ml of 0.1 N KMnO4 consumed is equal to 0.0291 g of FeSO4.7H20.

Method 2:

It is assayed taking accurately 1gm FeSO4.7H20 is dissolve in 30ml water and 20 ml of dil. H2SO4 in conical

flask then titrate with 0.1 N ceric ammonium nitrate in burette, using ferroin sulphate solution as an indicator.

End point ret to light blue

Uses:

Haematinic. That is for promoting formation of hemoglobin in anemia's caused due

to iron deficiency.

May be administered in the form of tablets or capsules.

Ferrous Gluconate
C12H22O14Fe.2H20 Mol. Wt. 482.2

Preparation:
It is prepared by oxidation of glucose by dilute nitric acid. Then barium carbonate is added
to get the barium salt. This is treated with ferrous sulphate and the precipitaed barium
sulphate is removed and filtrate is concentrated and cooled to get crystals.

Properties:
It is yellowish grey or pale greenish yellow fine powder with slight odour resembling that
of burnt sugar.

It is soluble in water and almost insoluble in alcohol.

Its aqueous solution is acidic in nature.

Uses:

Haematinic. That is for promoting formation of hemoglobin in anemia's caused due

to iron deficiency.

May be administered in the form of tablets or capsules.