Pelargonium sidoides preparation (EPs^® 7630) in the treatment of acute bronchitis in adults and children☆

Abstract 

Acute bronchitis, although mostly caused by viral infections, is commonly treated with antibiotics. As antibiotics should only be prescribed upon strict indication, treatment options like a liquid herbal drug preparation from the roots of Pelargonium sidoides (EPs^® 7630) gain more and more interest.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of treatment with EPs^® 7630 in patients with acute bronchitis, a multi-centre, prospective, open observational study was conducted in 440 study sites located in Germany. A total of 2099 patients aged 0–93 years with productive cough for less than six days without indication for treatment with antibiotics were given EPs^® 7630-solution in an age-dependent dosage for 14 days. The primary outcome criterion was the mean change of the Bronchitis Severity Score (BSS: cough, sputum, rales/rhonchi, chest pain at cough, dyspnoea) from baseline to patient's individual last observation.

During treatment, the mean BSS of all patients decreased from 7.1±2.9 points at baseline to 1.0±1.9 points at patients’ individual last visit. Subgroup analysis for children showed a decrease of mean BSS from 6.3±2.8 points to 0.9±1.8 points and analysis of children younger than three years showed a decrease of mean BSS from 5.2±2.5 points to 1.2±2.1 points. Adverse events occurred in 26/2099 (1.2%) patients. Serious adverse events were not reported.

In conclusion, EPs^® 7630 is an effective and well tolerated treatment of acute bronchitis in adults, children and infants outside the strict indication for antibiotic treatment.

Keywords: Acute bronchitis, Children, Herbal medicine, Bronchitis severity score, EPs^® 7630, Umckaloabo^®