Medicine for bronchitis
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Medicine for Bronchitis: A Comprehensive Review
Antibiotics for Acute Bronchitis
Limited Efficacy and Potential Risks
Antibiotics are commonly prescribed for acute bronchitis, but their benefits are limited. Studies show no significant difference in clinical improvement between antibiotic and placebo groups 29. While antibiotics can reduce cough duration and night cough, they also increase the risk of adverse effects 29. The modest benefits must be weighed against potential side effects, increased antibiotic resistance, and the cost of treatment 29.
Specific Antibiotic Regimens
For severe and acute purulent exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, antibiotics like tetracycline, penicillin with streptomycin, and ampicillin are often used. However, comparative trials to establish their efficacy are lacking 7.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Bronchitis
Herbal Remedies
Herbal medicine, particularly Pelargonium sidoides extract (EPs® 7630), has shown efficacy in treating acute bronchitis in children through placebo-controlled trials and observational studies 1. Anthroposophic remedies and homeopathic treatments like Monapax® and Droperteel® have also been investigated, but more randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to confirm their effectiveness 1.
Chinese Medicinal Herbs
Chinese medicinal herbs are another CAM option for acute bronchitis. However, the quality of studies is insufficient to recommend their routine use. Some studies suggest benefits in symptom relief, but limitations in study design and lack of toxicological evidence make it difficult to draw definitive conclusions 356.
CAM for Bronchiolitis in Infants
Herbal Preparations and Supplements
For bronchiolitis in infants, CAM therapies like Chinese herbal medicine, vitamin D, N-acetylcysteine, and magnesium have shown some benefits in clinical severity scores and oxygen saturation. However, the evidence is not robust enough to make formal recommendations 4. No serious adverse events were reported in the studies reviewed 4.
Conclusion
While antibiotics are frequently used to treat acute bronchitis, their benefits are modest and come with potential risks. Complementary and alternative medicine, including herbal remedies and Chinese medicinal herbs, offers promising alternatives but requires more rigorous research to establish their efficacy and safety. For bronchiolitis in infants, CAM therapies show potential but lack sufficient evidence for routine use. Further high-quality studies are essential to provide clearer guidance on the use of these treatments.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of acute bronchitis in children: A systematic review.
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches show a favorable effect in treating acute bronchitis in children, but more randomized controlled trials are needed for reliable statements on effectiveness.
Systematic ReviewAntibiotics for acute bronchitis.
Antibiotics may reduce the duration of cough and improve clinical symptoms in acute bronchitis patients, but their long-term safety and effectiveness remain unclear.
Meta-Analysis
Very Rigorous Journal
Highly CitedChinese medicinal herbs for acute bronchitis.
There is insufficient quality data to recommend routine use of Chinese herbs for acute bronchitis, and their safety and effectiveness remain unclear due to lack of toxicological evidence.
Systematic ReviewVery Rigorous JournalComplementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of bronchiolitis in infants: A systematic review
Chinese herbal medicine mixtures, vitamin D, N-acetylcysteine, and magnesium may help manage bronchiolitis symptoms in infants, but more rigorous evidence is needed to recommend their use.
Systematic Review
Rigorous JournalChinese medicinal herbs for acute bronchitis.
There is insufficient quality data to recommend routine use of Chinese herbs for acute bronchitis, and their safety and effectiveness remain unclear due to study limitations and lack of toxicological evidence.
Systematic ReviewChinese medicinal herbs for acute bronchitis.
Chinese medicinal herbs show potential in reducing symptoms of acute bronchitis, but their safety and effectiveness remain inconclusive due to insufficient quality data and study limitations.
Systematic ReviewAntibiotic regimens in severe and acute purulent exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.
Tetracycline, penicillin with streptomycin, and ampicillin show similar efficacy in treating severe and acute purulent exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, but tetracycline is more effective in treating acute exacerbations.
RCTHighly CitedAntibiotics for bronchiolitis in children under two years of age.
Antibiotics for bronchiolitis in children under two years of age show no significant difference in hospital stay duration, oxygen requirement, or readmission compared to placebo.
Meta-AnalysisVery Rigorous JournalHighly CitedAntibiotics for acute bronchitis.
Antibiotics for acute bronchitis show limited evidence of improving outcomes and may increase the risk of adverse effects.
Meta-AnalysisVery Rigorous JournalAntibiotics for bronchiolitis in children.
This review found minimal evidence to support the use of antibiotics for bronchiolitis in children under two years, with potential benefits for those with complications like respiratory failure.
Meta-AnalysisVery Rigorous JournalHighly Cited