Influence of ambroxol on tracheobronchial clearance in simple chronic bronchitis.
The influence on tracheobronchial clearance of ambroxol, a metabolite of bromhexine, was investigated by measuring the lung retention of inhaled 6 micron monodisperse Teflon particles labelled with 99mTc. Fourteen subjects with simple chronic bronchitis, who belonged to a "responder" group in an earlier study on the subjective effects of ambroxol, were examined using a double-blind cross-over design comparing 120 mg ambroxol daily and placebo. On commencing the study and after each 2-week treatment period, the subjects were examined for mucociliary clearance and clearance by voluntary coughing. Treatment did not influence mucociliary clearance or clearance by cough. There is still a possibility that phlegm loosening by cough is enhanced in situations with more hypersecretion.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000551:Ambroxol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001964:Bromhexine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002923:Cilia / Q000187:drug effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008863:Microspheres; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation
D000551:Ambroxol; D001964:Bromhexine