glaucine hydrobromide

Glaucine hydrobromide is a centrally acting, non-opioid antitussive agent derived from the plant *Glaucium flavum* (yellow horned poppy). It is clinically used in several Eastern European countries, including Bulgaria, Romania, and Russia, to treat non-productive (dry) cough associated with respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Unlike opioid antitussives like codeine, glaucine hydrobromide does not suppress respiration, cause constipation, or lead to drug dependence. Its pharmacological profile is multi-mechanistic, characterized by selective, non-competitive inhibition of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) and blockade of voltage- and receptor-operated calcium channels, which contribute to its bronchodilatory and anti-inflammatory effects. It also exhibits weak antagonist activity at dopamine D1 and D2 receptors, and acts as a partial agonist/positive allosteric modulator at serotonin 5-HT2 receptors, which can cause mild sedative or hallucinogenic side effects at high doses.

Brand names

GlauventTusidilTussiglaucin

Other names

(+)-Glaucine hydrobromide(S)-Glaucine hydrobromided-Glaucine hydrobromideglaucineglaucine HBr