Pharmacologic agents for mucus clearance in bronchiectasis.
There are no approved pharmacologic agents to enhance mucus clearance in non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis. Evidence supports the use of hyperosmolar agents in CF, and studies with inhaled mannitol and hypertonic saline are ongoing in bronchiectasis. N-acetylcysteine may act more as an antioxidant than a mucolytic in other lung diseases. Dornase α is beneficial to patients with CF, but is not useful in patients with non-CF bronchiectasis. Mucokinetic agents such as β-agonists have the potential to improve mucociliary clearance in normals and many disease states, but have not been adequately studied in patients with bronchiectasis.
Winthrop University Hospital, Mineola, NY, USA.
Girish B
GB
Nair
Jonathan S
JS
Ilowite
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005100:Expectorants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008353:Mannitol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance / Q000187:drug effects*; D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005100:Expectorants; D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic; D008353:Mannitol