[Treatment of chronic bronchitis with ivy leaf special extract--multicenter post-marketing surveillance study in 1,350 patients].

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

The changes of clinical symptoms and the tolerability of Prospan((R)) acute Effervescent Cough Tablets were investigated in a multicenter, prospective post-marketing surveillance (PMS) study focusing on patients with chronic bronchitis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

The study included 1,350 male and female patients aged 4 years and above who were treated in one of 135 participating medical practices and who suffered from chronic bronchitis (with or without airway obstruction). During a scheduled observational period of 4 weeks, the patients had to take 1(1/2) or 2 tablets per day (depending on their age), according to the manufacturer's dosing recommendations, corresponding to 97.5 or 130 mg of dried ivy leaf extract (about 585- 780 mg of drug). Treatment success was assessed by observing the changes in the direct symptoms of chronic bronchitis between the baseline examination and the end of treatment. Safety was evaluated by analyzing adverse events.

RESULTS:

In comparison to baseline, the following percentages of patients showed improved symptoms or were cured at treatment end: cough 92.2%; expectoration 94.2%; dyspnea 83.1%; respiratory pain 86.9%. In each of the four symptoms at least 38% of the initially affected patients were completely free of complaints. Three patients (0.2%) experienced adverse events in which a causal relationship to the drug under investigation could not be excluded (2x eructation, 1x nausea).

CONCLUSIONS:

Considering the favorable changes in all investigated clinical symptoms as well as the excellent tolerability in children and adults, the ivy leaf extract preparation Prospan acute Effervescent Cough Tablets can be considered as a therapeutic option in alleviating the symptoms of chronic bronchitis.

• Authors: M Hecker, F Runkel, A Voelp
• Journal: Forschende Komplementarmedizin und klassische Naturheilkunde = Research in complementary and natural classical medicine (Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd) Vol. 9 Issue 2 Pg. 77-84 (Apr 2002) ISSN: 1424-7364 [Print] Switzerland
• Vernacular Title: Behandlung chronischer Bronchitis mit einem Spezialextrakt aus Efeublättern - multizentrische Anwendungsbeobachtung mit 1350 Patienten.
• PMID: 12006725 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, English Abstract, Journal Article, Multicenter Study)
• Copyright: Copyright 2002 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg

Chemical References

• Plant Extracts

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Araliaceae
• Bronchitis (drug therapy)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Chronic Disease
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Phytotherapy
• Plant Extracts (therapeutic use)
• Plant Leaves (chemistry)
• Product Surveillance, Postmarketing