Respiratory stimulant use in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the use of respiratory stimulants in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

DATA SOURCES:

MEDLINE (1966-July 2003) and EMBASE (1980-3rd quarter 2003) were searched using the search terms medroxyprogesterone acetate, acetazolamide, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic obstructive lung disease.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

Trials are reviewed evaluating ventilatory parameters with acetazolamide and/or medroxyprogesterone in patients with COPD. All studies found improvements in ventilatory parameters, but failed to demonstrate improvements in survival or quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS:

Significant improvement in arterial blood gas and ventilatory parameters was reported in COPD patients after acetazolamide and medroxyprogesterone treatment; however, with no improvement in survival or quality of life, the place of these drugs in therapy remains unknown.

• Authors: Melissa J Bales, Erin M Timpe
• Journal: The Annals of pharmacotherapy (Ann Pharmacother) Vol. 38 Issue 10 Pg. 1722-5 (Oct 2004) ISSN: 1060-0280 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15316108 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Respiratory System Agents
• Medroxyprogesterone Acetate
• Acetazolamide

Topics

• Acetazolamide (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (therapeutic use)
• Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive (drug therapy)
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
• Respiratory System Agents (therapeutic use)