Abstract
Currently, bronchodilators are the mainstay treatment of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease while systemic corticosteroids and antibiotics have a major role in COPD acute exacerbations. Inhaled N-acetylcysteine is a mucolytic that has a pharmacologic role in respiratory conditions associated with excessive thick mucus production. Additionally, N-acetylcysteine has been studied as an adjunct agent for the clinical management of COPD because of its antioxidant and inflammatory properties. This paper provides a narrative review of literature on the effect Nacetylcysteine has on clinical outcomes in stable COPD and in acute COPD exacerbations. Primary literature was sought utilizing databases using Medline (2004-present). The database was searched using the key MeSH terms N-acetylcysteine and COPD, COPD exacerbation.
Current literature indicates in conjunction with standard drug regimen according to the COPD treatment guidelines, regular and high dose N-acetylcysteine (NAC) decrease frequency of exacerbations in stable COPD patient. Additionally, high dose N-acetylcysteine may improve airway obstruction in stable COPD patients. There is insignificant data for the use of N-acetylcysteine for patients experiencing acute exacerbations of COPD. Further studies should be performed as the overall benefits are still not fully established.
Keywords: N-acetylcysteine, COPD, COPD exacerbation, mucolytic.
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews
Title:The Clinical Role of N-acetylcysteine in the Management of COPD: A Review of Recent Literature
Volume: 12 Issue: 2
Author(s): Christopher J. Gillard and Claire M. Reuter
Affiliation:
Keywords: N-acetylcysteine, COPD, COPD exacerbation, mucolytic.
Abstract: Currently, bronchodilators are the mainstay treatment of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease while systemic corticosteroids and antibiotics have a major role in COPD acute exacerbations. Inhaled N-acetylcysteine is a mucolytic that has a pharmacologic role in respiratory conditions associated with excessive thick mucus production. Additionally, N-acetylcysteine has been studied as an adjunct agent for the clinical management of COPD because of its antioxidant and inflammatory properties. This paper provides a narrative review of literature on the effect Nacetylcysteine has on clinical outcomes in stable COPD and in acute COPD exacerbations. Primary literature was sought utilizing databases using Medline (2004-present). The database was searched using the key MeSH terms N-acetylcysteine and COPD, COPD exacerbation.
Current literature indicates in conjunction with standard drug regimen according to the COPD treatment guidelines, regular and high dose N-acetylcysteine (NAC) decrease frequency of exacerbations in stable COPD patient. Additionally, high dose N-acetylcysteine may improve airway obstruction in stable COPD patients. There is insignificant data for the use of N-acetylcysteine for patients experiencing acute exacerbations of COPD. Further studies should be performed as the overall benefits are still not fully established.
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Cite this article as:
Gillard J. Christopher and Reuter M. Claire, The Clinical Role of N-acetylcysteine in the Management of COPD: A Review of Recent Literature, Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews 2016; 12 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573398X12666160609082332
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573398X12666160609082332 |
Print ISSN 1573-398X |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-6387 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from childhood to adulthood: from the past to the future
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the three leading causes of death worldwide, with a major prevalence in low- and middle-income countries, resulting in a high social and economic cost. It is a heterogeneous respiratory disease, treatable and preventable, that causes persistent and often progressive airway obstruction in ...read more
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