Mucolytic Health Dictionary

The term used to describe the property of destroying, or lessening the tenacity of, MUCUS. It is most commonly used to describe drugs which have this property and are therefore used in the treatment of BRONCHITIS. The inhalation of steam, for example, has a mucolytic action.

n. an agent that dissolves or breaks down mucus. Mucolytics such as carbocisteine and dornase alfa (see DNAse) break down mucus in sputum and thus facilitate its expectoration; they are used to treat chest conditions involving excessive or thickened mucus secretions.

dissolving or breaking down mucous.