Conditions: COPD Chronic Bronchitis
Keywords: COPD Chronic Bronchitis N-acetylcysteine
Allocation: RANDOMIZED | Intervention model: PARALLEL
Enrollment: 51
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is described as having mucolytic and antioxidant properties. It is widely prescribed for patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), particularly for those who have accompanying symptoms of chronic cough and sputum production. Compared to placebo, high-dose NAC will improve Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire scores in patients with COPD and chronic bronchitis.

Detailed description:
A total of 130 subjects with COPD and chronic bronchitis will be randomized (in a double-blind fashion) to receive either high-dose NAC (1800 mg) or matching placebo twice daily for eight weeks. Respiratory health status, assessed by changes in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, will be used to determine the effects of NAC on lung function. It is anticipated that the subjects on high dose NAC will have improved scores.

Arms:
arm 1: Identical placebo pills twice daily for 8 weeks Placebo pills manufactured to mimic appearance of intervention drug n-acetylcysteine and prescribed with identical frequency and duration. arm 2: 1800 mg twice daily for 8 weeks

Interventions: intervention 1: N-Acetylcysteine intervention 2: Placebo
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: 1800 mg twice daily for 8 weeks intervention 2: Identical placebo manufactured to mimic appearance of intervention drug with identical frequency and duration.

Protocol document: