INDICES> query on rationality of combining ambroxol and terbutaline (2)

[Joel Lexchin <joel.lexchin@utoronto.ca>]

INDICES> query on rationality of combining ambroxol and terbutaline (2)
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I assume since one of the drugs that is in this combination is
terbutaline, a beta 2 agonist, that this combination is being used for
either asthma or bronchitis. MaLAM wrote a letter to Boehringer
Ingelheim about ambroxol back in 1993. At that time we could not find
any evidence for short-term effectiveness of ambroxol with respect to
any measure of symptoms or pulmonary function. The study that we relied
on for this conclusion was: Guyatt et al. A controlled trialof ambroxol
in chronic bronchitis. Chest 1987;92:618-20. There was some evidence
that long-term use of ambroxol could alleviate symptoms but it took over
a month for any benefits to show up. The trial that showed the benefits
was: Olivieri et al. Ambroxol for the prevention of chronic bronchitis
exacerbations: a long-term multicenter trial. Respiration 1987;51(suppl
1):41-51. I believe that Boehringer never formally replied to our letter
but Peter Mansfield would know for sure.

--
Joel Lexchin MD
121 Walmer Rd.
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5R 2X8
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e mail:  joel.lexchin@utoronto.ca

[thanks, Joel! WB]
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