Efficacy of combination mucolytic therapy in acute bronchitis in children

Introduction . Among acute inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract in children, the leading place belongs to acute bronchitis, the main symptom of which is cough. In the treatment of cough, combination drugs are widely used. They have a complex effect on various pathogenetic mechanisms. Aim . To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a combination drug containing bromhexine, guaifenesin and salbutamol in children with acute non-obstructive and obstructive bronchitis. Materials and methods . The study included 60 children with acute non-obstructive bronchitis of viral etiology aged 2 to 12 years and 30 children with acute obstructive bronchitis, having a mild course, aged 2 to 6 years. Children with acute non-obstructive bronchitis were divided into 2 groups; the main group – 35 children, receiving a combination drug containing bromhexine, guaifenesin and salbutamol in an age-appropriate dose for 4–5 days as part of the therapy, and a comparison group of 25 children receiving ambroxol as part of the therapy. The effectiveness was assessed based on a study of the dynamics of the main clinical symptoms of the disease. Results and discussion . It was found that the administration of a combination drug containing bromhexine, guaifenesin and salbutamol showed clinical efficacy in children with non-obstructive bronchitis in 88.7% of cases, and in mild bronchial obstruction – in 86.6%, which was manifested by a pronounced positive dynamics in the main clinical symptoms of the disease, as well as a decrease in the development of bacterial complications. The drug is well tolerated (91.4% of cases) and rarely produces minor adverse effects. Conclusions . A combination drug containing bromhexine, guaifenesin and salbutamol has shown high clinical efficacy and good tolerability in both non-obstructive bronchitis and mild broncho-obstruction, which allows us to recommend it as one of the drugs of choice in the treatment of this pathology.