[Effect of intravenous ambroxol hydrochloride on lung function and exercise capacity in patients with severe chronic...

The effect of Ambroxol hydrochloride on spirometry, pulmonary gas exchange and exercise capacity in patients with COPD were evaluated. Twenty patients mean age 59 +/- 9 yr presenting with severe airways obstruction were divided by random number to two groups: treated (L) and control (K). L patients received iv infusion of one gram of Ambroxol in 500 ml of 0.9% saline daily, for 5 days. K patients received infusions of 500 ml 0.9% saline at the same intervals. Blood gases, capnography and incremental exercise test on cycloergometer were performed before treatment and after the fifth dose of the drug or placebo. Before treatment spirometry, blood gases, capnometric++ indices and exercise tolerance were similar in both groups. After treatment in patients from L group an increase in VC from 1.78 +/- 0.61 L to 2.04 +/- 0.58 L (p < 0.01), FEV1 from 0.96 +/- 0.43 L to 1.11 +/- 0.49 L (p < 0.01), MEF25 from 1.36 +/- 0.93 L/sec to 1.61 +/- 0.96 L/sec (p < 0.01) was found. End-tidal carbon dioxide in 60 sec hyperventilation test decreased from 3.7% to 2.9% (p < 0.001). There were no differences in exercise tolerance and blood gases after treatment. In the control group all studied variables remained unchanged. We conclude that Ambroxol improves airways patency in patients with severe COPD.