Clear Cough (Ammonium Chloride + Potassium IODIDE + Guaifenesin) Oral Suspension (Anhydrous)
Clear Cough (Ammonium Chloride + Potassium IODIDE + Guaifenesin) is a compounded formulation containing Ammonium Chloride + Potassium IODIDE + Guaifenesin, prepared by Mixlab for veterinary use. Available by prescription.
How to Give Anhydrous Oral Suspension
Oral Suspension (Anhydrous) is a liquid medication that does not contain water in its base. This might be an oil-based or other special base to help stabilize the medicine. It will look like a regular liquid medication, but often needs a good shake because the drug can settle. Here's how to give it:
- Shake well each time to mix the medication (5-10 seconds).
- Measure the dose using the syringe/dropper provided or one recommended by your vet. Insert the top of the oral syringe into the bottle adapter. Turn the bottle upside down and pull the plunger until the medicine reaches the volume required
- Hold your pet steady: a towel or helper can assist with squirmy pets.
- Administer the dose slowly into the side of the mouth. Allow small pauses if needed for swallowing.
- Raise the head slightly to help the medication go down and clean any spills with a little water or tissue.
- Praise your pet and offer a treat or water (unless advised against feeding right after).
- Clean the syringe with water immediately after use. Store the bottle as directed, out of sunlight.
- Consistency is key: Shake each time, measure accurately, and contact your vet if any issues arise.
This is a compounded preparation combining the active ingredients listed in the product name. In compounding practice, clinicians may consider a multi-ingredient preparation like this to address more than one aspect of a patient's physiology at once. Your veterinarian determines whether it is appropriate for your animal.
At a pharmacological level, the three components of Clear Cough act through distinct yet complementary mechanisms to support respiratory hygiene. Guaifenesin is a classic expectorant that acts by increasing the volume and reducing the viscosity of secretions in the trachea and bronchi. It is thought to stimulate receptors in the gastric mucosa that reflexively increase glandular secretion in the respiratory tract. Ammonium chloride and potassium iodide function as saline expectorants. Ammonium chloride exerts a mild irritant effect on the bronchial mucosa to encourage fluid movement, while potassium iodide has been studied for its ability to break down the complex protein bonds in thick mucus, a process known as mucolysis. Your veterinarian will determine the appropriate application of Clear Cough based on your horse's weight, clinical presentation and specific respiratory management needs.
This description reflects the general pharmacology of the active ingredient's drug class; your veterinarian determines whether this approach is appropriate for your animal.
Prescription only. Use only under the direction of a licensed veterinarian. This information is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis, prescribing or monitoring. Compounded drugs are not approved by the FDA for safety or effectiveness.
Commonly observed effects of Clear Cough administration include localized gastrointestinal changes such as a temporary decrease in appetite or mild nausea. Because the formulation contains iodine, your veterinarian will monitor for signs of iodism, which can manifest as skin rashes, excessive tearing or a watery nasal discharge if used for extended periods. Owners may also observe a transient increase in productive coughing shortly after the medications are administered, which reflects the mobilization of respiratory secretions. If you observe persistent physical distress, significant swelling of the lymph nodes or signs of an allergic reaction, contact your veterinarian promptly.
This medication is typically used with extra caution or avoided in patients with known thyroid dysfunction, as the potassium iodide component can influence the metabolic activity of the thyroid gland. It is also carefully evaluated in pregnant or lactating mares, as iodine can cross the placental barrier and appear in milk. Before starting a protocol involving Clear Cough, ensure your veterinarian has a complete history of all other prescriptions and supplements your horse is receiving, particularly those containing electrolytes or other respiratory agents. Your veterinarian is the right person to assess your horse's individual health status and provide guidance on the necessary duration of therapy to ensure the management approach remains suitable.
Yes. Clear Cough is a combination of prescription ingredients and can only be dispensed by a licensed pharmacy upon receipt of a valid authorization from a licensed veterinarian. Mixlab verifies all authorizations before any medication is prepared or shipped to your stable.
Yes. Clear Cough is a specialized compounded formulation that integrates ammonium chloride, potassium iodide and guaifenesin into a single dosage form. Mixlab's compounding team can prepare this medication in various formats—such as flavored oral powders, liquids or pastes—when a veterinarian determines that a customized preparation better suits an individual horse's needs.
Veterinarians discuss the inclusion of potassium iodide because of its unique mucolytic properties. It acts by breaking the chemical bonds within thick, sticky mucus, making the secretions more fluid and easier for the horse to clear from the airway during a cough.
Owners should monitor for "iodism," which may include signs such as watery eyes, skin flaking or a change in the horse’s coat quality. If you observe these changes or notice your horse becoming excessively lethargic, you should contact your veterinarian to discuss the continued use of the medication.
