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SHORT REVIEW
Ambroxol … more than an expectorant The benefit of using ambroxol in chronic respiratory diseases?
1
Sanofi Greece, Kallithea, Athens, Greece
2
Intensive Care Unit, 1st Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
3
Oncology unit, 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, University of Athens, Sotiria Hospital, Athens, Greece
4
2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, Attikon Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
5
1st Respiratory Medicine Department, Sotiria Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
Pneumon 2019;32(4):155-160
KEYWORDS
chronic bronchitis chronic obstructive lung disease COPD CRD ambroxol anti-inflammatory therapy bronchiectasis mucoactive antibiotics common cold
ABSTRACT
Chronic respiratory diseases comprise of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, occupational lung diseases and bronchiectasis, amongst others. Most of these long-term diseases are not curable and cause an enormous economic burden. Mucoregulators such as ambroxol have been used for decades as a treatment for pulmonary diseases, in order to reduce the burden of the disease and improve quality of life by promoting mucus clearance. Effects of ambroxol include the increase of surfactant production, cytokine reduction and counteracting of oxidative stress in the lungs. Positive effects of ambroxol have been described in vitro and in clinical studies for COPD, chronic bronchitis as well as in acute respiratory infections. In addition, antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties have been demonstrated. Αmbroxol has a good safety profile. In this short review article, the current clinical knowledge on Ambroxol is summarized.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
CB is an employee of Sanofi. RN, and BP have received
payments for lectures from Sanofi Greece. KM, LS and BP have received payment for advisory boards from Sanofi
Greece.
AUTHORS' CONTRIBUTIONS
CB wrote the manuscript. RN, KM, LS and BP were
involved in the data analysis or interpretation of the data
and have critically revised the article. All authors have
approved the final version of the manuscript. All authors
are accountable for accuracy and integrity of the work.
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