Chericof Expectorant

Bromhexine (4mg) + Guaifenesin (50mg) + Menthol (2.5mg) + Terbutaline (1.25mg)
Price: ₹70 - ₹100 for 100 ml bottle
Mfr: Aristo Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. | Form: Syrup

📋 Clinical Overview

A fixed-dose combination (FDC) expectorant, mucolytic, and bronchodilator syrup/tablet primarily used for symptomatic relief in productive cough associated with bronchospasm in conditions like acute and chronic bronchitis, asthma, and COPD. Bromhexine thins viscous sputum, guaifenesin increases respiratory tract fluid, menthol provides soothing relief, and terbutaline relieves bronchoconstriction.

💊 Dosage & Administration

Adult: 10 ml (2 teaspoonfuls) of syrup or 1 tablet, three to four times daily. Maximum: 4 doses in 24 hours.

Note: Syrup: To be taken orally, preferably after meals with a full glass of water to aid expectoration. Tablet: Swallow whole with water. Do not crush or chew. Maintain adequate hydration.

⚠️ Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to Bromhexine, Guaifenesin, Menthol, Terbutaline or any ingredient
  • Tachyarrhythmias
  • Severe or uncontrolled cardiac disease (e.g., ischemic heart disease, severe hypertension)
  • Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

🔬 Mechanism of Action

Combined action: Bromhexine depolymerizes mucopolysaccharide fibers in sputum, reducing viscosity. Guaifenesin stimulates gastric vagal receptors, reflexively increasing respiratory tract fluid secretion, lubricating airways. Menthol acts as a mild local anesthetic and counter-irritant, providing a cooling sensation and soothing cough reflex. Terbutaline selectively stimulates beta-2 adrenergic receptors in bronchial smooth muscle, causing relaxation and bronchodilation.

🤕 Side Effects

  • Nausea
  • Gastric irritation
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Mild tremor (due to terbutaline)
  • Palpitations
  • Mild sweating
  • Taste disturbance (menthol)

🤰 Special Populations

Pregnancy: Category B (US FDA). Terbutaline: Not recommended for tocolysis. Use only if clearly needed and benefit outweighs risk, especially in 1st trimester. Bromhexine/Guaifenesin: Limited data. Avoid in late pregnancy due to theoretical risk of uterine relaxation from terbutaline.

Driving: May cause dizziness, nervousness. Patients should not drive or operate machinery until they know how the medicine affects them, especially at treatment initiation.

🔄 Drug Interactions

Beta-blockers (e.g., Propranolol)Antagonizes bronchodilator effect of terbutaline; may cause severe bronchospasm in asthmatics.Major
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) / Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)Potentiates cardiovascular effects (hypertension, tachycardia) of terbutaline.Major
Other Sympathomimetics (Decongestants like Pseudoephedrine)Additive cardiovascular and CNS stimulant effects, increasing risk of tachycardia, hypertension.Major
Diuretics (e.g., Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide)Concurrent use with terbutaline may potentiate hypokalemia.Moderate
DigoxinHypokalemia from terbutaline may increase risk of digoxin toxicity.Moderate
TheophyllineAdditive stimulant effects; increased risk of tachycardia, arrhythmias.Moderate
CNS Depressants (Alcohol, Benzodiazepines)Menthol may have mild additive sedative effect.Minor

🔁 Alternatives to Chericof Expectorant

Same composition (Bromhexine (4mg) + Guaifenesin (50mg) + Menthol (2.5mg) + Terbutaline (1.25mg)), different brands:

Ascoril Expectorant Kofarest Expectorant Bromhexine-GF-M-T Syrup Tusq-X Expectorant