N-acetylcysteine by metered dose inhaler in the treatment of chronic bronchitis: a multi-centre study

Respir Med. 1992 Mar;86(2):89-92. doi: 10.1016/s0954-6111(06)80220-9.

Abstract

Sixty-five patients with chronic bronchitis were studied at five different centres in a double-blind, randomized trial. Two parallel groups were treated with either N-acetylcysteine or placebo by metered dose inhalers for 16 weeks. Following a 1-week run-in period, each patient recorded subjective impressions of the drug action on their bronchitic symptoms in a diary once a week. In addition, exacerbations were registered. Lung function testing and adverse effects were evaluated by four visits to the chest clinics during the 16 weeks. We could not demonstrate that N-acetylcysteine by metered dose inhalers had any significant effect on patients' feeling of well-being, sensation of dyspnoea, intensity of coughing, mucus production, or expectoration or lung function. Its effect in reducing exacerbations could not be estimated because of a very low number of exacerbations reported. N-acetylcysteine inhalation was safe when used over a 16-week period.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcysteine / administration & dosage
  • Acetylcysteine / therapeutic use*
  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Bronchitis / drug therapy*
  • Bronchitis / physiopathology
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cough / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sputum / drug effects

Substances

  • Acetylcysteine