The management of cystic fibrosis with carbocysteine lysine salt: single-blind comparative study with ambroxol hydrochloride.

Abstract

The effectiveness of carbocysteine lysine salt monohydrate (SCMC-Lys) and ambroxol hydrochloride (ABX) in the management of respiratory impairment was compared in a single-blind, randomized study of 26 cystic fibrosis patients with similar baseline characteristics. Adults received either SCMC-Lys 900 mg or ABX 33 mg three times a day and children under 14 years of age either SCMC-Lys 270 mg three times a day or ABX 10 mg four times a day. All treatments were given orally for 80 days and at the end of this control period both groups showed significant improvement in chest sound score but improvement in cough score was observed only in those receiving SCMC-Lys. Expectorate viscosity and elasticity decreased significantly in both groups. In SCMC-Lys-treated patients paCO2 decreased and paO2 and Hb O2 saturation increased while only paO2 increased significantly in those treated with ABX. An increase in tidal volume, peak expiratory flow values and forced expiratory volume were evident in those receiving SCMC-Lys while significant increases in forced expiratory flow were recorded in those receiving ABX. SCMC-Lys patient's Shwachmann index improved significantly and conversely to the ABX patients. No adverse events were recorded in either treatment group. The study concluded that SCMC-Lys is at least as effective as ABX in improving respiratory function in patients with cystic fibrosis.

• Authors: G Caramia, R Gagliardini, E Ruffini, P Osimani, A Nobilini
• Journal: The Journal of international medical research (J Int Med Res) 1995 Jul-Aug Vol. 23 Issue 4 Pg. 284-93 ISSN: 0300-0605 [Print] England
• PMID: 7589772 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Expectorants
• carbocysteine-lysine
• Ambroxol
• Carbocysteine

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Ambroxol (therapeutic use)
• Carbocysteine (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Cystic Fibrosis (drug therapy)
• Expectorants (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Forced Expiratory Volume (drug effects)
• Humans
• Male
• Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (drug effects)
• Respiration (drug effects)
• Single-Blind Method
• Tidal Volume (drug effects)