title: Treatment of acute bronchitis with EPs 7630: randomized, controlled trial in children and adolescents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this trial was to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of EPs 7630, a herbal drug preparation from Pelargonium sidoides, in children and adolescents suffering from acute bronchitis, outside the strict indication for antibiotics.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 220 patients with acute bronchitis were randomized and given either verum containing EPs 7630 (1-6 years/>6-12 years/>12-18 years: 3 × 10/3 × 20/3 × 30 drops/day) or matching placebo for 7 days. The main outcome measure was the change in the total score of bronchitis-specific symptoms (BSS) from day 0 to day 7.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The decrease in the BSS total score was significantly higher for EPs 7630 compared to placebo (change day 0-day 7: 4.4 ± 1.6 vs 2.9 ± 1.4 points; P < 0.0001). Improvements were most pronounced for 'coughing' and 'rales at auscultation'. Tolerability was similarly good in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EPs 7630 proved to be an efficacious and well-tolerated option for the treatment of acute bronchitis in children and adolescents outside the strict indication for antibiotics.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Paediatrics, Mainz, Germany. wkamin@evkhamm.de
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kamin
authors.forename: Lidia I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Ilyenko
authors.forename: Fathi A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Malek
authors.forename: Meinhard
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kieser
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: C476332:EPs 7630; D010936:Plant Extracts