Abstract | OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of a herbal drug preparation from the roots of Pelargonium sidoides ( EPs 7630) in the treatment of acute bronchitis in adults outside the very restricted indication for an antibiotic therapy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study with 217 patients aged between 18 and 66 years with acute bronchitis. One hundred and eight patients were given 30 drops of EPs 7630-solution three times daily and 109 patients 30 drops of placebo three times daily for a period of 7 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Individual change in bronchitis symptom score (BSS) over 7 days, individual symptoms, patient satisfaction and adverse events. RESULTS: After 7 days of treatment, the BSS decreased by 7.6 +/- 2.2 points in the EPs 7630 group and by 5.3 +/- 3.2 points in the placebo group. The 95% confidence interval for the difference between the effects was calculated as 1.6-3.1, showing highly significant superiority for the EPs 7630 treatment (p < 0.0001). There were also marked improvements in the individual symptoms, which are the components of BSS - cough, chest pain on coughing, sputum, rales/ rhonchi and dyspnoea - in the treatment group, relative to placebo. Patient satisfaction was very good. Only minor and transitory adverse events were recorded. No serious adverse events occurred during the trial. CONCLUSION: EPs 7630-solution is a well tolerated and effective treatment for acute bronchitis in adults outside the very restricted indication for an antibiotic therapy.
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Authors | H Matthys, M Heger |
Journal | Current medical research and opinion
(Curr Med Res Opin)
Vol. 23
Issue 2
Pg. 323-31
(Feb 2007)
ISSN: 1473-4877 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 17288687
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- EPs 7630
- Immunologic Factors
- Plant Extracts
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Topics |
- Acute Disease
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Bronchitis
(drug therapy)
- Chest Pain
(etiology)
- Cough
(etiology)
- Double-Blind Method
- Dyspnea
(etiology)
- Female
- Humans
- Immunologic Factors
(isolation & purification, therapeutic use)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Pelargonium
(chemistry)
- Phytotherapy
- Plant Extracts
(isolation & purification, therapeutic use)
- Plant Roots
(chemistry)
- Prospective Studies
- Treatment Outcome
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