Effects of inhaled N-acetylcysteine in combination with terbutaline.

The additional effect of N-acetylcysteine in combination with inhaled terbutaline was studied in a controlled randomized double-blind cross-over study of one week periods in 22 patients with stable reversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The patients improved clinically, more during the period with acetylcysteine in combination with terbutaline, than during the period with placebo/terbutaline. The differences were particularly noticeable on the parameters 'difficulties in raising sputum' and 'number of coughs'. Seventeen of 22 patients felt greater improvement during the period with acetylcysteine. Also a small improvement in FEV1 was found by addition of acetylcysteine. No side-effects of acetylcysteine were reported in this combination.