Antitussives in the treatment of acute transient cough in children. Symptomatic effect of inhaled fenoterol in acute bronchitis: a placebo-controlled double-blind study. Is oral albuterol effective for acute cough in non-asthmatic children? A comparison of albuterol and erythromycin for the treatment of acute bronchitis. Albuterol delivered by metered-dose inhaler to treat acute bronchitis. The treatment of acute transient cough: a placebo-controlled comparison of dextromethorphan and dextromethorphan-beta 2-sympathomimetic combination. A randomized controlled trial of oral albuterol in acute cough.
nan The symptomatic effect of inhaled fenoterol, a beta 2-agonist, 0.2 mg 4 times daily for 7 days, was evaluated in 80 patients with acute bronchitis examined at the Chest Clinic, Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Tromsø. Seventy-three patients completed the trial. End-point FEV1 (% predicted) showed a mean increase of 5.1% in the fenoterol group and 0.5% in the placebo group (p = 0.006). The corresponding decrease in total symptom score after one week was 67% and 51%, respectively (p = 0.06). In a subgroup of 35 patients with either bronchial hyper-responsiveness, wheezes on auscultation or FEV1 less than 80% of predicted at entry, a statistically significant difference in reduction of total symptom score in favour of fenoterol was demonstrated on the second day of the trial. No difference was found in the 38 patients with normal lung findings. Fenoterol was useful when objective signs of bronchial involvement was present and may be applicable to the treatment of acute bronchitis. Fifty-nine non-asthmatic children with acute cough were randomized to receive oral albuterol or placebo for 7 d. There was a similar, rapid rate of resolution of acute cough for the two groups, but more shaking or trembling in those treated with albuterol (5/30 vs 0/29; p = 0.05). In ambulatory children with acute cough who have no history of asthma and a normal chest examination, oral albuterol does not reduce the frequency or duration of cough. Based on observations that pulmonary function tests of patients with acute bronchitis resemble those of patients with asthma, it was hypothesized that a bronchodilator may be an effective form of treatment for patients with acute bronchitis.
                Albuterol was compared with erythromycin in a prospective, randomized, double-blinded fashion. Participants were patients who presented to family physicians with a history of having a productive cough of less than 30 days' duration, no history or evidence of pneumonia, and no other pulmonary or cardiac disease. Patients completed a 7-day symptom diary and returned to their physician after 1 week of therapy for reexamination.
                Patients treated with albuterol were less likely to be coughing after 7 days of treatment than patients treated with erythromycin (41% vs 88%, P less than .05). This was true for both smokers and nonsmokers and in patients with purulent-appearing sputum. Trends toward an earlier improvement in cough and an improved feeling of well-being also were observed in the albuterol group. No differences between groups were found as to the length of time before patients returned to work, the length of time until patients resumed normal activities, or the overall improvement in patient well-being. Minor side effects were equal in both groups.
                Oral albuterol may be more effective than commonly used antibiotics in relieving the symptoms of acute bronchitis. Previous research has suggested that cough associated with acute bronchitis is more likely to subside within 7 days when treated with albuterol than with an antibiotic. This study examines the effectiveness of aerosolized albuterol for the treatment of acute bronchitis in patients treated with erythromycin or placebo.
                A double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial of albuterol delivered by metered-dose inhaler (MDI) was conducted in a primary care setting with healthy adult patients who presented with a productive cough of fewer than 30 days' duration. In addition to randomization for albuterol, patients were also randomized to receive erythromycin or placebo. Outcomes were assessed at follow-up after 7 days.
                Patients treated with albuterol MDI were less likely to be coughing after 7 days of treatment than were patients using a placebo inhaler (61% still coughing vs 91%, P = .02). When analysis was stratified by cigarette smoking status and the use of erythromycin, the differences observed between albuterol MDI patients and controls persisted.
                Albuterol appears to reduce the likelihood that patients with acute bronchitis will be coughing after 7 days following initiation of treatment. This effect appears to be independent of cigarette smoking or the concomitant use of antibiotics. The efficacy of an antitussive-beta 2-sympathomimetic combination (dextromethorphan-salbutamol) was compared with that of a plain antitussive (dextromethorphan) and a placebo in a double-blind trial in 108 out-patients with cough associated with acute respiratory infection. The dextromethorphan-salbutamol combination was superior to dextromethorphan or placebo in the suppression of cough at night, although a spontaneous improvement occurred in all treatment groups during the 4-day treatment period. No statistically significant differences between the treatments were shown in the symptom scores for the cough frequency and severity during the day, sputum quantity or ease of expectoration. A significant improvement in cough during the day was observed in all treatment groups. The results suggest that the use of antitussives is usually unnecessary; the only indication might be symptomatic relief, especially at night. An antitussive combined with a beta 2-sympathomimetic might be the most effective treatment in this type of cough. Beta-agonist agents have been used for bronchospasm and cough in a variety of settings. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of oral albuterol for acute cough in ambulatory adults.
                We performed a prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial comparing albuterol 4 mg by mouth three times daily for 7 days with placebo in 104 adults. Subjects had cough of less than 4 weeks' duration and no evidence of pneumonia, asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. All subjects were enrolled at the walk-in clinic of a rural academic medical center.
                There was no significant difference between treated and control subjects in any measure of efficacy including cough severity score, reduction in sleepless nights, utilization of health care, or return to full activity. There were significantly more reports of "shakiness" and "nervousness" among albuterol-treated subjects than among controls.
                Oral albuterol should not be used in unselected patients with acute, nonspecific cough.
There is no evidence to support the use of beta2-agonists in children with acute cough who do not have evidence of airflow obstruction. There is also little evidence that the routine use of beta2-agonists is helpful for adults with acute cough. These agents may reduce symptoms, including cough, in people with evidence of airflow obstruction. However, this potential benefit is not well-supported by the available data and must be weighed against the adverse effects associated with their use.