VPT 311: General and Systemic Veterinary Pharmacology (2+1)

Directly acting antitussives

DIRECT-ACTING ANTITUSSIVES

• Local action is achieved by demulcent; the sweet, syrupy vehicles in which other cough remedies are dissolved.
• Demulcents (honey and syrup) coat, protect and soothe inflamed mucosae for a brief period.
• A more specific action in claimed for benzonatate, an agent that depresses the afferent sensors of the cough reflex and pulmonary stretch receptors.
• Local anesthetics can be used to control severe cough.