What is Bromhexine used for?

Bromhexine is indicated for: Bronchial secretolytic (mucolytic), Expectorant, mucolytic.

Which species have cited Bromhexine dosing data?

Bromhexine dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 4 species: African Grey Parrot, Guinea Pig, Lovebird, Zebra Finch.

Is Bromhexine a controlled substance?

Bromhexine is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Bromhexine

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Bromhexine is dosed at 0.5–1 mg/kg PO q12-24h in guinea pigs, per Fehr M, Sassenburg L, Zwart P. Krankheiten der Heimtiere, 8th ed., Schluetersche Verlagsgesellschaft, Hannover, Germany; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.798 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.7 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rodents). Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Uncategorized

Routes

Indications

Bronchial secretolytic (mucolytic)Expectorantmucolytic

Species with Bromhexine dosing data (4 dose rules)

African Grey Parrot Guinea Pig Lovebird Zebra Finch

Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugs All Guinea Pig drugs All Lovebird drugs All Zebra Finch drugs

Evidence levels across 4 dose rules

Weak×3Moderate×1

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

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Backed by 4 published sourcesShow

· 104. Boothe DM. Drugs affecting the respiratory system. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:371-394 doi:10.1016/s1094-9194(17)30077-4. | 177. Coles BH. Prescribing for exotic birds. In: Bishop Y, eds. The Veterinary Formulary, 5th ed., Pharmaceutical Press, London, UK; 2001:99-105. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.490 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.18 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Birds). — CORRECTED 2026-08-19 to the row that carries this indication: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed — "Bromhexine HCl 1.5 mg/kg IM q12-24h(165) — Most species/expectorant"; corroborated by BSAVA Part B — "Birds: 1.5 mg/kg i.m., p.o. q12-24h". Previously served 3-6 mg/kg, the adjacent row, which names no indication and prints no interval.

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Calculate Dosage for Bromhexine

104. Boothe DM. Drugs affecting the respiratory system. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:371-394 doi:10.1016/s1094-9194(17)30077-4. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.490 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.18 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Birds). — RETRIEVED FINDING - CHANGE REQUIRED (retrieved 2026-08-19): `"Bromhexine HCl | 3-6 mg/kg IM104,177 | Most species, including psi[tt]acines, passerines, raptors"` — Carpenter's 6e, Table 5.18 (no interval). Interval is printed elsewhere in the library: `"3-6 mg/(1-2 mL)/kg, 0.1 mL/30 g divided into two or three doses daily"`, IM — Samour, *Avian Medicine* 3e, printed p.669, "Miscellaneous Drugs". — CORRECTED 2026-08-19 to the row that carries this indication: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed — "Bromhexine HCl 1.5 mg/kg IM q12-24h(165) — Most species/expectorant"; corroborated independently by BSAVA Small Animal Formulary Part B (Exotic Pets) — "Birds: 1.5 mg/kg i.m., p.o. q12-24h". The rule previously served 3-6 mg/kg, which is the adjacent row on the same page - it names no indication and prints no interval.

· 104. Boothe DM. Drugs affecting the respiratory system. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:371-394 doi:10.1016/s1094-9194(17)30077-4. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.490 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.18 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Birds). — RETRIEVED FINDING - CHANGE REQUIRED (retrieved 2026-08-19): same Carpenter's row; same Samour p.669 interval. Lovebird (*Agapornis roseicollis*) is inside the printed scope "including psittacines", corroborated by Jepson, *Exotic Animal Medicine* 2e, printed p.284 (Parrots and related species): `"Mucolytics (e.g., bromhexine at 3.0 to 6.0 mg/kg IM or 6.5 mg/L fresh drinking water daily)"`. — CORRECTED 2026-08-19 to the row that carries this indication: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed — "Bromhexine HCl 1.5 mg/kg IM q12-24h(165) — Most species/expectorant"; corroborated independently by BSAVA Small Animal Formulary Part B (Exotic Pets) — "Birds: 1.5 mg/kg i.m., p.o. q12-24h". The rule previously served 3-6 mg/kg, which is the adjacent row on the same page - it names no indication and prints no interval.