Skip to main content
Log in

Mucolytics: When dispensable, when necessary?

  • Management Of Chronic Airflow Obstruction
  • Published:
Lung Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Many patients with chest disease have difficulty in clearing their chests of sputum. A variety of substances have been used in an attempt to help them. Mucolytic drugs can alter the rheological properties of mucus by acting directly on the secretions or by modifying the metabolic activity of the mucus secreting cells. Many physicians and patients are certain to reap a benefit. This paper will discuss the effectiveness of mucolytic therapy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Subscribe and save

Springer+
from $39.99 /Month
  • Starting from 10 chapters or articles per month
  • Access and download chapters and articles from more than 300k books and 2,500 journals
  • Cancel anytime
View plans

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Ayward M, Maddock J, Dewland P (1984) Clinical evaluation of N-acetylcysteine in the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis. Eur J Resp Dis 61:81–89

    Google Scholar 

  2. Boman S, B��cker U, Larson S, Melander B, Wählander L (1983) Oral N-acetylcysteine reduces exacerbation rate in chronic bronchitis. Report of trial organised by the Swedish Society for Pulmonary Disease. Eur J Resp Dis 64:405–415

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Chodosh S, Baigelmann W, Medici TC, Enslein K (1975) Long-term home use of acetylcystein in chronic bronchitis. Curr Ther Resp 17:319

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Chodosh S (1980) Acetylcystein in chronic bronchitis. Eur J Resp Dis 61(Suppl. 111):90–92

    Google Scholar 

  5. Cotgreave JA, Eklund A, Larsson R, Moldeus PW (1987) No penetration of orally administered N-acetylcysteine into bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Eur J Resp Dis 70:73–77

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Dorow P (1989) Welchen Einfluß hat Cineol auf die mukoziliare Clearance? Therapiewoche 39:2652–2654

    Google Scholar 

  7. Linsemann P, Swoboda M (1986) Therapeutische Wirksamkeit ätherischer Öle bei chronisch obstruktiver Bronchitis. Therapiewoche 36:1162–1156

    Google Scholar 

  8. Linsemann P, Hemat H, Swoboda M (1989) Therapeutischer Wert ätherischer Öle bei chronisch obstruktiver Bronchitis. Atemwegs-Lungenkrh Jahrgang 15(4):152–156

    Google Scholar 

  9. Millar AB, Pavia D, Agnew JE, Lopez-Vidriero MT, Lanque D, Clarke JW (1985) Effect of oral N-acetylcystein of mucus clearance. Br J Dis Chest 79:262

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Pulle DF, Glass P, Dulfano ML (1970) A controlled study of the safety and efficacy of acetylcysteine-isoproterenol combination. Curr Ther Resp 12:485

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Scheffner AL (1963) The reduction in vitro in viscosity of mucoprotein solutions by a new mucolytic agent, N-acetylcysteine. Ann NY Acad Sci 106:298

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Stafunsky M, von Manteufel SE, Swoboda M (1989) Therapie der akuten Tracheobronchitis mit ätherischen Ölen und mit Soleinhalation ein Doppelblindversuch. Zeitschr f Phytotherapie 10:130–134

    Google Scholar 

  13. Todisco T, Polidori R, Rossi F, Jannacci L, Bruni B, Fedeli L, Palumbo R (1985) Effect of N-acetylcysteine in subject with slow pulmonary mucociliary clearance. Eur J Resp Dis 66:136–141

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dorow, P. Mucolytics: When dispensable, when necessary?. Lung 168 (Suppl 1), 622–626 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02718186

Download citation

  • Issue date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02718186

Key words