Nursing Considerations for Ectrin (Erdosteine)

Posted by Alpha Nurse


DRUG: Brand Name: Ectrin
Generic Name: Erdosteine

CLASS: Mucolytics

DOSAGE:
• Capsule: 1 cap 2-3 times daily.
• Suspension: Adults and Children >30 kg: 10 mL (2 tsp) twice daily.
Children 20-30 kg: 5 mL (1 tsp) 3 times a day; 15-19 kg: 5 mL (1 tsp) twice daily.
• Direction for Reconstitution: To make 60 mL suspension: Add 42 mL of water and shake well until all the powder are evenly suspended.
• To make 100 mL suspension: Add 70 mL of water and shake well until all the powder are evenly suspended.

INDICATIONS:
Treatment of acute bronchitis, chronic bronchitis and its exacerbations. Respiratory disorders characterized by abnormal bronchial secretions and impaired mucus transport.

MECHANISM OF ACTION:
Erdosteine contains two sulfhydryl groups, which are freed after metabolic transformation in the liver. The liberated sulfhydryl groups break the disulphide bonds, which hold the glycoprotein fibres of mucus together. This makes the bronchial secretions more fluid and enhances elimination.

SIDE EFFECTS:
No gastrointestinal nor systemic side effects due to Ectrin have been observed.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:
Known hypersensitivity to erdosteine. Because of a possible interference of erdosteine metabolites with the methionine metabolism, erdosteine is contraindicated in patients suffering from hepatic cirrhosis and deficiency of the cystathionine-synthetase enzyme.
Suspension: Phenylketonuria, due to the presence of aspartame.

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS:
• This drug can be taken with or without food
• For the reason that of a probable intrusion of erdosteine metabolites with the methionine metabolism, erdosteine is no recommended in subjects experiencing hepatic cirrhosis and insufficiency of the cystathionine synthetase enzyme.
• Ectrin Suspension is also contraindicated for Phenylketonuria, because of existence of aspartame.

Sources:
http://www.mims.com/USA/drug/info/erdosteine/?type=full&mtype=generic#Actions
http://www.mims.com.ph/Philippines/drug/info/Ectrin/?type=full#Indications
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17216233
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