S t u d y s e l e c t i o n Studies were selected if they were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of oral mucolytic drugs taken regularly for ≥ 2 months by adults who were > 20 years of age and had chronic bronchitis or COPD. Studies on inhaled mucolytic drugs, combinations of mucolytic drugs with antibiotics or bronchodilators, deoxyribonucleases, and such proteases as trypsin...

A mucolytic agent, methyl cysteine HC1 (Cytoclair), has been used to obtain a centrifuged cell deposit for the detection of malignant cells in sputum. In 178 sputum samples from 52 patients with primary lung cancer there was a slightly higher rate of detection with the mucolytic method than with the routine method: 54 positives from 27 patients compared with 48 positives from 24 patients. Morph...

The ability to digest mucus, mucolytic activity of isolated pepsins and samples of human gastric juice has been assayed by measuring the fall in viscosity when incubated with purified pig gastric mucus glycoprotein. Pure human pepsin 1, the peptic ulcer associated pepsin, digested gastric mucus glycoprotein at a faster rate than did pure human pepsin 3 (the principal human pepsin), or the equiv...

are subjected to direct PCR analysis. Alternatively, if sputum liquefaction must be performed, then conditions should be established such that the final concentration of mucolytic agent in the PCR reaction is kept suitably low. Finally, purification of target nudeic acids from liquefied sputum before PCR analysis, while adding further manipulations, would obviate the need for concern over the p...

OBJECTIVE To report pediatric cases of paradoxical respiratory adverse drug reactions (ADRs) after exposure to oral mucolytic drugs (carbocysteine, acetylcysteine) that led to the withdrawal of licenses for these drugs for infants in France and then Italy. DESIGN The study followed the recommendations of the European guidelines of pharmacovigilance for medicines used in the paediatric populat...

Aim. The extent to which mucolytics are utilised in mechanically ventilated asthmatic children is unknown. We sought to establish current practice in the United Kingdom (UK) including choice of mucolytic, dose, and frequency of utilisation. Methods. A national electronic survey was distributed to UK consultants during April and May 2014. We were able to identify 168 PICU consultants at 25 insti...