ATC Group: R05CA Expectorants

The World Health Organization's ATC classification organizes medical drugs based on therapeutic properties, chemical composition, and anatomy. It helps make essential medicines readily available globally and is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry.

Position of R05CA in the ATC hierarchy

Level Code Title
1 R Respiratory system
2 R05 Cough and cold preparations
3 R05C Expectorants, excl. combinations with cough suppressants
4 R05CA Expectorants

Group R05CA contents

Code Title
R05CA01 Tyloxapol
R05CA02 Potassium iodide
R05CA03 Guaifenesin
R05CA04 Ipecacuanha
R05CA05 Altheae radix
R05CA06 Senega
R05CA07 Antimony pentasulfide
R05CA08 Creosote
R05CA09 Guaiacolsulfonate
R05CA10 Combinations
R05CA11 Levoverbenone
R05CA12

Active ingredients in R05CA

Active Ingredient

Guaifenesin is an expectorant the action of which promotes or facilitates the removal of secretions from the respiratory tract. The precise mechanism of action of guaifenesin is not known; however, it is thought to act as an expectorant by increasing the volume and reducing the viscosity of secretions in the trachea and bronchi. In turn, this may increase the efficiency of the cough reflex and facilitate removal of the secretions. Guaifenesin is over-the-counter drug for the treatment of cough and common cold.

Ipecacuanha root extract has been widely used in syrup form as a potent and effective emetic. Ipecacuanha powder had been used to induce sweating at the onset of influenza, and small amounts of the extract have been incorporated into cough syrups as expectorants.

Potassium iodide is indicated as a thyroid-blocking agent to prevent the uptake of radioactive iodine, for example after a nuclear accident or during a nuclear medicine investigation before administering a radioiodinated compound, which is metabolised to iodide or which contains radioiodine impurities.

Related product monographs

Document Type Information Source  
 LEMSIP CHESTY COUGH Oral solution MPI, EU: SmPC Health Products Regulatory Authority (IE)
 ROBITUSSIN CHESTY COUGH MEDICINE Oral solution MPI, EU: SmPC Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB)
 ROBITUSSIN COUGH AND CHEST CONGESTION Oral solution MPI, EU: SmPC Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority (NZ)