Erdosteine

Erdosteine is a mucolytic. Specifically it is a thiol derivative developed for the treatment of chronic obstructive bronchitis, including acute infective exacerbation of chronic bronchitis. Erdosteine contains two blocked sulfhydryl groups which are released following first-pass metabolism. The three active metabolites exhibit mucolytic and free radical scavenging activity. Erdosteine modulates mucus production and viscosity and increases mucociliary transport, thereby improving expectoration. It also exhibits inhibitory activity against the effects of free radicals produced by cigarette smoke.

Erdosteine

Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.com	International Drug Names
Routes of administration	oral, inhalation
ATC code	R05CB15 (WHO)
Pharmacokinetic data
Protein binding	65%
Metabolism	hepatic
Elimination half-life	1–3 hours
Identifiers
IUPAC name 2-[(2-Oxothiolan-3-yl)carbamoylmethylsulfanyl]acetic acid
CAS Number	84611-23-4 Y
PubChem CID	65632
ChemSpider	59073 Y
UNII	76J0853EKA
KEGG	D07383 Y
ChEMBL	ChEMBL1697744
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID8048735
ECHA InfoCard	100.169.984
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C8H11NO4S2
Molar mass	249.30 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
SMILES O=C1SCCC1NC(=O)CSCC(=O)O
InChI InChI=1S/C8H11NO4S2/c10-6(3-14-4-7(11)12)9-5-1-2-15-8(5)13/h5H,1-4H2,(H,9,10)(H,11,12) Y Key:QGFORSXNKQLDNO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
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Clinical studies in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have demonstrated the efficacy and tolerability of erdosteine[1][2] Erdosteine 300 mg twice daily reduced cough (both frequency and severity) and sputum viscosity more quickly and more effectively than placebo and reduced the adhesivity of sputum more effectively than bromhexine 30 mg twice daily.

Co-administration of erdosteine and amoxicillin in patients with acute infective exacerbation of chronic bronchitis resulted in higher concentrations of the antibiotic in the sputum, leading to earlier and more pronounced amelioration of clinical symptoms compared with placebo.[3]

Erdosteine is associated with a low incidence of adverse events, most of which are gastrointestinal and generally mild. The LD₅₀ is very high, 3,500–5,000 mg/kg.