Over-the-counter (OTC) medicine monograph: Bromhexine hydrochloride

This monograph only applies to preparations that contain bromhexine hydrochloride (CAS no. 611-75-6) as the only active ingredient and excludes preparations containing any other salts and derivatives of bromhexine.

Acceptable dosage forms and strengths are shown in the table below.

Therapeutic indications for inclusion in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG)

Mucolytic. Breaks down mucus and helps clear chest congestion.

Label indications

Required label indication is 'Helps clear chest congestion'.
Further description of the relief of chest congestion may be included by selecting one or more of the following: 

• Thins/loosens/breaks down mucus to help clear the chest
• Mucolytic
• Helps clear stubborn chest congestion
• Chesty cough

Directions must be as shown in the table below, as relevant.

* If the medicine is not to be indicated for children below 'x' years of age (where 'x' is any age between 6 and 12 years of age), then the label must contain the statement "Do not give to children under 'x' years of age" as required by the Required Advisory Statements for Medicine Labels).

Advisory statements

The following advisory statement is also required:

If symptoms persist, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Labelling must comply with all relevant Australian requirements, as detailed in the document Requirements for OTC new medicine N2 applications, including all required warning statements.

In addition to the quality requirements outlined in the document Requirements for OTC new medicine N2 applications, the following specific requirements apply to bromhexine hydrochloride monograph medicine.

Finished product specifications

In addition to other requirements specified in the document Requirements for OTC new medicines N2 applications, the finished product specifications must comply, at a minimum, with the relevant set of requirements below.

For tablets, the following tests and limits:

• tablet appearance
• identity of bromhexine hydrochloride
• for soluble tablets only: disintegration (disintegrate within 3 minutes, using water at 15-25°C as the liquid medium)
• uniformity of dosage units (BP)
• dissolution (a suitable test and limit for dissolution that demonstrates the appropriate release of the active ingredient)
• bromhexine hydrochloride content of 92.5 - 107.5%
• individual unspecified impurity (not more than 1.0%) and total impurities (not more than 3.0%)
• microbiological quality in compliance with Therapeutic Goods Order No. 77 - Microbiological Standards for Medicines.

For oral liquids, the following tests and limits:

• organoleptic properties (such as appearance, smell, taste etc)
• pH
• identity of bromhexine hydrochloride
• bromhexine hydrochloride content of 90.0 - 110.0%
• individual unspecified impurity (not more than 1.0%) and total impurities (not more than 3.0%)
• content of any preservatives included in the formulation
• microbiological quality in compliance with Therapeutic Goods Order No. 77 - Microbiological Standards for Medicines.

Container/measuring device

• Bromhexine hydrochloride medicines must be sold in containers that comply with Therapeutic Goods Order No 80, Child Resistant Packaging Requirements for Medicines.
• If a measuring device is to be supplied with the medicine, calibrations must be exclusively in metric units and must allow all the doses shown on the labels to be measured accurately. Details of the calibrations on the measuring device must be provided with the submission (a sample may also be requested). Further considerations and requirements regarding measuring devices are detailed in ARGOM Appendix 2: Guidelines on quality aspects of OTC applications, 8. Finished product container.