The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 277 No 7427 p599
18 November 2006

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Erdosteine launched in the UK for chronic bronchitis relief

A new drug for the symptomatic treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis — a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — is now available in the UK. Erdosteine (Erdotin; Galen/Edmond Pharma) was launched this week to coincide with World COPD Day (15 November).

“Erdosteine has been available for over 10 years in 31 countries. Its launch in the UK is supported by a wealth of clinical data evaluating its tolerability,” Anna Murphy, consultant respiratory pharmacist at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, told The Journal.

Ms Murphy said that individuals with COPD, especially those with a significant chronic bronchitis component, may suffer from recurrent exacerbations of their disease with an increase in volume and purulence of sputum. The clinical effectiveness of mucolytics is believed to result from their ability to reduce the viscosity of sputum, thereby increasing ease of expectoration, she explained.

She said that exacerbations have an impact on the costs of caring for people with COPD. “Compared with the cost of a hospital admission or an extended course of an antibiotic an appropriately prescribed 10-day course of erdosteine, at £5 per course, seems an attractive treatment,” Ms Murphy suggested.


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