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 Description
Guaiacolsulfonate
Guaifenesin

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.

Hederae helicis folium
Ipecacuanha

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

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.

Tyloxapol

Related product monographs

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