Ambroxol 30 mg/5 ml: uses, price & cheaper substitutes
Prescription required (Schedule H)
Common uses: Wet cough with thick, sticky phlegm that is hard to cough up; Chest congestion in bronchitis, COPD and chest infections.
Listed MRPs range from ₹0.32 to ₹1.55 per ml across 4 listings. Use only on a doctor's prescription.
Price comparison
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | MRP | ₹ / ml | As on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ambril Syrup | Maneesh Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 100 ml | ₹32.16 | ₹0.32 | 19 October 2026 |
| Ambrodil Syrup | Aristo Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd | 100 ml | ₹92.30 | ₹0.92 | 19 October 2026 |
| Ambrolite Syrup | Tablets India Limited | 100 ml | ₹99.84 | ₹1.00 | 19 October 2026 |
| Mucolite Syrup | Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd | 100 ml | ₹155.19 | ₹1.55 | 19 October 2026 |
MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.
Uses
- Wet cough with thick, sticky phlegm that is hard to cough up.
- Chest congestion in bronchitis, COPD and chest infections.
- Loosening mucus in children with cough, in the dose a doctor prescribes.
How to take it
Take the dose your doctor prescribes, usually two or three times a day, with or without food, measured with the cup or spoon supplied – a kitchen teaspoon is not accurate. Drink plenty of water, which helps thin the phlegm. Do not combine it with a cough suppressant unless your doctor advises, because you need to cough the loosened mucus out. See a doctor if the cough lasts more than a week, if there is fever, breathlessness or blood in the sputum, or if a child is not improving. Ambroxol is not licensed in the UK or US, so the guidance here follows the NHS pages for carbocisteine, a mucolytic of the same class, and the Indian product label.
Side effects
Common
- Nausea or feeling sick.
- Diarrhoea or stomach discomfort.
- Dry mouth or altered taste.
- Mild rash.
Serious
Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.
- Severe allergic reaction – swelling of the lips, mouth or throat, difficulty breathing, blistering or peeling rash (rare).
- Blood in the vomit or black, tarry stools – see a doctor.
- Cough that worsens, with high fever, breathlessness or blood-stained phlegm – the syrup is not enough; see a doctor.
Safety information
Alcohol
Avoid alcohol while you have a chest infection; it worsens dehydration and stomach upset.
Pregnancy
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, especially in the first 3 months, or breastfeeding. Use only if your doctor decides it is needed.
Kidney problems
Tell your doctor about kidney disease; the dose may need to be reduced.
Liver problems
Tell your doctor about liver disease; the dose may need to be reduced.
Children
Children's doses depend on age and weight and should be prescribed by a doctor; paediatric drops are available for babies.
Missed dose
Take it as soon as you remember unless the next dose is due within 2 hours – then skip it. Never take two doses together.
Interactions
- Cough suppressants (dextromethorphan, codeine, Benadryl-type syrups) – they stop the cough that clears loosened phlegm; do not combine without advice.
- Other combination cough syrups (Ascoril, Ambrodil-S, Mucolite SR) – risk of doubling the ambroxol dose.
- Antibiotics such as amoxicillin, cefuroxime, erythromycin and doxycycline – ambroxol may increase their levels in lung secretions; this is usually helpful but tell your doctor.
Frequently asked questions
What is Mucolite syrup used for?
Mucolite (ambroxol) thins thick, sticky phlegm so it is easier to cough out. It is used for wet cough and chest congestion in bronchitis, COPD and chest infections.
Mucolite syrup for dry cough or wet cough?
Wet cough with phlegm. It does not stop a dry, tickly cough and may make you cough more at first as mucus loosens – that is how it works.
Can Ambrodil syrup be given to children?
Yes, in the dose a doctor prescribes for the child's age and weight. Paediatric drops exist for infants. Do not use adult doses in children.
Mucolite vs Ascoril – what is the difference?
Mucolite contains only ambroxol. Ascoril LS adds levosalbutamol to open the airways and guaifenesin as a second expectorant, so it is used when there is wheeze along with phlegm. Your doctor chooses.
Can I take Mucolite syrup with alcohol?
It is best to avoid alcohol while you have a chest infection; it dehydrates you and thickens phlegm.
Is Ambrodil syrup safe in pregnancy?
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is generally avoided in the first 3 months unless your doctor decides it is needed.
How many days should I take Mucolite?
Usually a few days until the phlegm clears. If the cough lasts beyond a week or you have fever, breathlessness or blood in the sputum, see a doctor.
Does Mucolite syrup need a prescription?
Ambroxol is a Schedule H medicine in India, so it should be dispensed against a prescription even though cough syrups are often bought over the counter.
Sources
- NHS – Carbocisteine: how and when to take it (19 October 2026)
- NHS – Carbocisteine: side effects (19 October 2026)
- NPPA Pharma Sahi Daam (ceiling prices) (19 October 2026)
- PMBI Jan Aushadhi Product & MRP List (19 October 2026)
Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated
This page is general information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Terms