Oral mucolytics reduce exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Regular use of mucolytic drugs for at least two years significantly reduces exacerbations and days of illness in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In their systematic review of 23 randomised controlled trials Poole et al (p 1271) also show that if exacerbations do occur they may not be as severe and the benefit may be greater in those with more severe disease. Therefore, even though mucolytics do not alter lung function, they should be considered in patients with frequent, prolonged, or severe recurrences.


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Relevant Article

Oral mucolytic drugs for exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: systematic review
Phillippa J Poole and Peter N Black
BMJ 2001 322: 1271. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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