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Evaluation of a new mucolytic drug
Author(s) -
Steen S. N.,
Ziment I.,
Freeman D.,
Thomas J. S.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1002/cpt1974161part158
Subject(s) - medicine , chronic bronchitis , sputum , inhalation , saline , plethysmograph , crossover study , anesthesia , pulmonary function testing , tuberculosis , alternative medicine , pathology , placebo
In a double‐blind crossover trial, the effect of a new mucolytic drug, the sodium salt of 2‐mercaptoethane sulfonic acid (Mistabron) (6 ml, 200 mg per milliliter) was compared with 0.9% sodium chloride (6 ml) over 16 consecutive days in 31 sub;ects with chronic bronchitis. Drugs were assigned randomly and were self‐administered by nebulization. Pulmonary function measurements were made pre‐nebulization, 5 minutes, and 45 to 60 minutes after nebulization each day. Symptomatic assessment of cough, sputum production, and dyspnea were recorded daily. No changes attributable to either treatment were noted in blood pressure, electrocardiographic tmcings, chest radiographs, blood chemistries, and urinalyses during the study. Pulmonary function tests (which included whole body plethysmography) showed clinically insignificant changes, though most subjects claimed to have experienced clinical improvement after taking 2‐mercaptoethane sUlfonic acid. Sputum production was measured in the last 18 patients who entered the study, and 2‐mercaptoethane sulfonic acid consistently resulted in greater production than saline. The difference was significant (p = 0.001). It is concluded that 2‐mercaptoethane sulfonic acid (20%) is as safe as an equivalent volume of normal saline administered by inhalation to subjects with chronic bronchitis, and that it is a more effective mucolytic agent.