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Methylxanthines for prolonged non-specific cough in children
A B Chang1, R A Halstead, H L Petsky
1Respiratory Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 4029. annechang@ausdoctors.net
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|July 22, 2005
Summary
No randomized controlled trials support using methylxanthines for children's non-specific cough. Limited data suggest potential symptom improvement, but risks of toxicity outweigh benefits, necessitating further research.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Pharmacology
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- Non-specific cough is a common pediatric issue often treated with asthma medications.
- Methylxanthines, historically used for pediatric asthma, are still employed in some regions.
- These medications have modest bronchodilator effects and other pharmacological properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of methylxanthines in treating children with non-specific cough.
Main Methods:
- Searched major databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE) up to January 2005.
- Included randomized controlled trials comparing methylxanthines to placebo in children with non-specific cough.
- No eligible randomized controlled trials were identified; four non-randomized trials were reported.
Main Results:
- No randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were found for methylxanthine efficacy in non-specific cough.
- Non-randomized trials indicated a potential significant effect within 2-14 days of therapy.
Conclusions:
- Reliable evidence is lacking for routine methylxanthine use in pediatric non-specific cough.
- Limited data suggest a possible clinical response within 2-14 days.
- Methylxanthine use must consider toxicity risks and narrow therapeutic range; further research is needed.