Abstract

A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THERAPEUTIC POTENCY OF AMBROXOL HYDROCHLORIDE VERSUS N-ACETYLCYSTINE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF LRTI AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON PROGNOSIS IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Dr. Santhosh Uttangi, Prof. J. S. Venkatesh, Abhila B.*, Abhishek S., Aksa Rajan and

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) versus Ambroxol in treating Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTIs), including pneumonia, COPD, tuberculosis, asthma, and acute bronchitis. 160 patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital over six months were randomly assigned to either NAC or Ambroxol. The study aimed to compare their therapeutic potency and impact on patient prognosis, utilizing the SF-36 questionnaire to assess quality of life. Results indicated that NAC demonstrated superior efficacy, with 88.75% of patients showing significant improvement compared to 75% in the Ambroxol group. NAC also resulted in faster symptom resolution and a lower incidence of side effects, with only one case of stomach discomfort compared to three in the Ambroxol group. Furthermore, patients treated with NAC experienced more pronounced improvements in quality of life across all SF-36 domains. The study concluded that NAC was more effective than Ambroxol in managing LRTI symptoms, such as cough and sputum, and in enhancing patient quality of life within one week. While acknowledging limitations, including a specific patient population and potential selection bias, the findings suggest that NAC may be a preferred treatment option for LRTIs. The study advocates for further research to confirm the broader benefits of NAC in respiratory care.

Keywords: Lower respiratory tract infection, SF36, NAC, Ambroxol Hydrochloride, COPD, Mucolytics.