Effect of N-acetylcysteine in Treatment of AECOPD

Objective To investigate the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in treatment of acute episode of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).Methods Totally 68 patients with AECOPD were divided into two groups randomly,with 34 in each group.All patients were treated with Slow-release theophyline or antibiotic while patient need.The patients in the trial group were additionally given 200 mg NAC granulated powder orally after meal,three times daily.The course of treatment was 14 days.The changes of symptoms such as cough,expectoration and dyspnia,as well as pulmonary functions including FEV1,FEV1/FEC% and predictive percentage of FEV1 of the patients in the two groups before and after the treatment were observed.Results There was significant difference in effect between the two groups (P0.05).After treatment the pulmonary function of the patients in the trial group was obviously improved as compared with the control group (P0.05).And no untoward reaction was found in the trial group.Conclusion NAC can alleviate airway obstruction,avoid oxidative stress,improve pulmonary function in treatment of AECOPD patients,and it is safe.