Will albuterol help cough
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The Efficacy of Albuterol in Treating Cough
Introduction to Albuterol and Cough Treatment
Albuterol, a beta-agonist, is commonly used to treat bronchospasm in conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, its effectiveness in treating acute cough, particularly in non-asthmatic individuals, has been a subject of research. This article synthesizes findings from multiple studies to determine whether albuterol is beneficial for treating cough.
Albuterol for Acute Cough in Non-Asthmatic Children
Research indicates that oral albuterol is not effective in reducing the frequency or duration of acute cough in non-asthmatic children. A study involving 59 children showed no significant difference in cough resolution between those treated with albuterol and those given a placebo. However, children treated with albuterol experienced more side effects such as shaking or trembling .
Albuterol for Acute Cough in Adults
Similarly, a randomized controlled trial involving 104 adults with acute cough found no significant difference in cough severity, reduction in sleepless nights, or return to full activity between those treated with oral albuterol and those given a placebo. The study also reported higher incidences of side effects like shakiness and nervousness in the albuterol group.
Albuterol for Acute Bronchitis
In contrast, albuterol delivered via a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) has shown some efficacy in treating acute bronchitis. Studies have demonstrated that patients with acute bronchitis who were treated with albuterol MDI were less likely to be coughing after 7 days compared to those using a placebo inhaler. This effect was observed regardless of smoking status or concurrent antibiotic use .
Albuterol in COPD Patients
For patients with COPD, albuterol spray has been found to reduce the incidence of wheezing and recurrent cough during the perioperative period. A study involving 120 smoking patients with COPD showed that those treated with albuterol spray had significantly lower occurrences of wheezing and cough compared to the control group.
Albuterol and Cough Variant Asthma
In cases of cough variant asthma, a combination of albuterol sulphate and ketotifen has been shown to be effective. A study involving 80 children with cough variant asthma found that the group treated with albuterol and ketotifen had a higher effective rate and lower relapse rate compared to the control group treated with aminophylline and chlortrimeton.
Conclusion
The effectiveness of albuterol in treating cough varies depending on the underlying condition. While oral albuterol is not effective for acute cough in non-asthmatic children and adults, it shows promise in treating acute bronchitis and cough variant asthma. Additionally, albuterol spray can reduce cough in COPD patients during the perioperative period. Therefore, the use of albuterol for cough should be tailored to the specific clinical context.
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