Is oral albuterol effective for acute cough in non-asthmatic children?

• Published in: Acta Paediatrica Vol. 88; no. 4; pp. 465 - 467
• Main Authors: Bernard, DW, Goepp, JG, Duggan, AK, Serwint, JR, Rowe, PC
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.04.1999; Blackwell
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Administration, Oral; Albuterol; Albuterol - administration & dosage; Albuterol - adverse effects; Albuterol - therapeutic use; asthma; Biological and medical sciences; Child; clinical trial; cough; Cough - drug therapy; Double-Blind Method; Humans; Medical sciences; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Respiratory system; Survival Analysis; Treatment Outcome; Human; Chemotherapy; Randomization; Acute; Treatment efficiency; Oral administration; Antitussive agent; Salbutamol; Ambulatory; Child; Cough
• ISSN: 0803-5253; 1651-2227
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.1999.tb01142.x

Fifty‐nine non‐asthmatic children with acute cough were randomized to receive oral albuterol or placebo for 7 d. There was a similar, rapid rate of resolution of acute cough for the two groups, but more shaking or trembling in those treated with albuterol (5/30 vs 0/29; p = 0.05). In ambulatory children with acute cough who have no history of asthma and a normal chest examination, oral albuterol does not reduce the frequency or duration of cough.