Efficacy of levodropropizine in pediatric cough.

Abstract

Cough in children is among the most common problems managed by pediatricians, and occurs more frequently in preschool than in older children. Most acute episodes of cough are due to viral upper respiratory tract infections. The morbidity associated with acute cough in a child extends also to parents, teachers, and other family members and caregivers. Unfortunately, therapeutic options for acute cough in children are severely limited due to the absence of drugs shown to be effective antitussives with an acceptable safety profile. Agents used in the management of adult cough, such as narcotics (codeine, hydrocodone), the non-narcotic opioid dextromethorphan, first-generation, potentially sedating antihistamines, and decongestants such as pseudoephedrine, have all been deemed inadequate for treatment of acute pediatric cough on a risk/benefit basis. A growing body of evidence suggests that the peripherally acting antitussive, levodropropizine, may be an attractive alternative for the treatment of bothersome acute cough in children.

• Authors: Francesco De Blasio, Peter V Dicpinigaitis, Gianluca De Danieli, Luigi Lanata, Alessando Zanasi
• Journal: Pulmonary pharmacology & therapeutics (Pulm Pharmacol Ther) Vol. 25 Issue 5 Pg. 337-42 (Oct 2012) ISSN: 1522-9629 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22771902 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antitussive Agents
• Propylene Glycols
• dipropizine

Topics

• Antitussive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Cough (drug therapy, epidemiology, etiology, psychology)
• Humans
• Propylene Glycols (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Quality of Life