Bromhexine

Anish Desai, MD(*) and S Jayaram, MD. Medical, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India and Medecine, Grant Medical College & J.J., Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

PURPOSE: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the comparative safety and efficacy of two cough formulas in the management of cough associated with respiratory disorders.

METHODS: Fifty patients having cough associated with various respiratory disorders like bronchitis and upper or lower respiratory tract infections were randomly divided into 2 equal groups and were treated with one of the two cough formulas viz.,cough formula A [Salbutamol sulphate (1 mg), Bromhexine hydrochloride (2 mg), Guaiphenesin 150 mg), menthol (0.5 mg) per 5 ml and cough formula B [Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (14.08 mg), Ammonium chloride (138 mg) Sodium citrate (57.03 mg), menthol (1.14 mg), alcohol (5%) per 5 ml] in double-blind manner over a period of 15 days. The evaluation of improvement was carried out by a rating scale, using three clinical parameters -- cough, sputum and breathlessness. The physicians were asked to rate the effectiveness of the therapy and patients were asked to rate the acceptability of therapy using pre-defined operational criteria.

RESULTS: It was observed that the improvement and symptom relief was almost immediate, quicker and better in the group receiving Cough Formula A as compared to other group ie. Cough Formula B. On effectiveness parameter, 96% of the physicians rated Cough Formula A as having either `very, high effectiveness or high effectiveness' as opposed to only 34% of the physicians who rated cough formula B as having `high' or `very high' effectiveness'. While on parameter of acceptability, 96% of the patient rated acceptability of Cough Formula A as `High' or `Good' as opposed to only 24% of the patients who rated cough formula B `high' or `good'.

CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggests that cough formula A has better efficacy as well as better patient aceptability. Thus, cough formula A is superior to cough formula B in management of cough associated with respiratory disorders.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The results of the clinical study have far reaching clinical implications in respirator), conditions associated with cough. Cough Formula A containing a combination of Salbutamol, Guaphenesin, Bromhexine and Menthol can relieve cough effectively and also offers symptomatic relief to such patients. Since cough can be a irritant feature in these patients effective management of cough is often desired by Physicians as well as the Patients. Thus this Cough Formula A can be an effective combination for management of cough in respiratory disease.

COPYRIGHT 2000 American College of Chest Physicians
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group