title: A controlled trial of intermittent oral acetylcysteine in the long-term treatment of chronic bronchitis.
abstract: In 69 out-patients with chronic bronchitis in 6 centres the effects of acetylcysteine 600 mg daily, 3 days a week for 6 months, and a placebo have been compared in a double-blind controlled trial. Thirty-five patients were treated with the mucolytic and 34 with the dummy preparation. In the former the clinical course of the chronic bronchitis improved to a greater extent and a significantly lower number of exacerbations was observed. The advantages of long-term oral treatment with the mucolytic in chronic bronchitis suggest that it may be useful as an alternative to long-term antibiotic prophylaxis, or to complement brief courses of antibiotics, in addition to the usual physiotherapy.
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000111:Acetylcysteine