Common cold and high-dose ipratropium bromide: use of anticholinergic medication as an indicator of reflex-mediated hypersecretion.

Abstract

UNLABELLED:

It was our aim to study the role played by parasympathetic reflexes for the amount and physical characteristics of nasal discharge during a common cold, and to define the maximum anti-rhinorrhoea effect obtainable with anticholinergic medication. Fifty adults with naturally acquired colds were treated with a very high dose of the topically active cholinoceptor-antagonists ipratropium bromide in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of parallel groups. A dosage of 400 micrograms was given 4 times daily for 3 days, using a specially manufactured high-dosed pressurized aerosol. This treatment resulted in a 56% reduction in the number of nose blowings (p < 0.01) and a 58% reduction in the weight of blown secretions (p < 0.01). Assessment of the "pourability" of the nasal discharge indicated that ipratropium bromide mainly reduces the watery secretions but not the mucopurulent secretions. The high dose of ipratropium bromide caused nose- and mouth-dryness in a considerable number of the patients.

IN CONCLUSION:

(1) during the first days of a common cold about 60% of the nasal discharge is a reflex-mediated product from nasal glands; (2) this type of secretion is predominantly watery; and (3) ipratropium bromide can reduce watery rhinorrhoea in the common cold, but a lower dose is required in order to avoid side effects.

• Authors: B Ostberg, B Winther, P Borum, N Mygind
• Journal: Rhinology (Rhinology) Vol. 35 Issue 2 Pg. 58-62 (Jun 1997) ISSN: 0300-0729 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 9299652 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Aerosols
• Parasympatholytics
• Ipratropium

Topics

• Administration, Inhalation
• Adult
• Aerosols
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Ipratropium (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nasal Mucosa (metabolism)
• Parasympathetic Nervous System (physiopathology)
• Parasympatholytics (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Rhinitis, Vasomotor (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Statistics, Nonparametric