triprolidine and Otitis-Media

A double-blind placebo controlled trial of Mucodyne (carbocisteine, Berk Pharmaceuticals), Actifed (triprolidine HC1 and pseudoephedrine HC1, Wellcome) and combined Mucodyne and Actifed in the treatment of middle-ear effusions is reported. The trial was undertaken to assess whether either preparation, alone or in combination, would reduce the number of children requiring surgical treatment for this condition. No statistical difference between the various groups in avoiding surgical treatment was detected. In those patients undergoing surgery, pre-operative treatment with Mucodyne was associated with a significantly greater number of ears restored to a normal appearance and middle ear function as measured by tympanometry. All patients relapsing after surgery belonged to the groups receiving placebo, Actifed or the combination of Mucodyne and Actifed prior to the operation.

Topics: Carbocysteine; Child, Preschool; Clinical Trials as Topic; Cysteine; Double-Blind Method; Drug Combinations; Drug Therapy, Combination; Ephedrine; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Otitis Media; Otitis Media with Effusion; Pseudoephedrine; Pyridines; Triprolidine

Topics: Acute Disease; Child; Child, Preschool; Clinical Trials as Topic; Double-Blind Method; Ephedrine; Humans; Otitis Media; Pyridines; Random Allocation; Triprolidine

Studies are not available to support the common use of alpha-adrenergic agents and/or antihistamines in the treatment of acute otitis media. A total of 378 patients with acute otitis were entered in a double-blind study comparing treatment results with antibiotics and either placebo, pseudoephedrine, triprolidine, or a combination of these; 196 patients returned. Age and return rate did not differ among groups. Cure rates and duration of fever were the same for each group. The cost and possible side effects of these agents, added to their lack of beneficial effect in otitis, should interdict their use.

Topics: Clinical Trials as Topic; Drug Therapy, Combination; Ephedrine; Humans; Otitis Media; Placebos; Pyridines; Triprolidine

Topics: Acute Disease; Child; Drug Prescriptions; Ephedrine; Family Practice; Humans; Otitis Media; Pyridines; Triprolidine

Records were studied of 500 children younger than 9 years of age with middle ear effusion who had received one of three treatment strategies: (1) administration of medication, including decongestants, antihistamines or antibiotics (or a combination), (2) administration of medication for a limited time and then surgical therapy if effusion did not resolve or (3) myringotomy done immediately with insertion of ventilation tubes and, in some cases, removal of adenoids. Early surgical intervention resulted in significantly shorter delay in hearing restoration. It did not result in a lower recurrence rate and it did not reduce the number of occasions when thick fluid, as compared with thin fluid, was found at operation. Four children for whom medical and surgical treatment failed were considered candidates for mild gain, low maximum-power-output hearing aids. All other children had normal hearing after treatment. Medication was successful in achieving this goal in 48 percent of the cases.

Topics: Child; Drug Combinations; Ephedrine; Erythromycin; Histamine H1 Antagonists; Humans; Middle Ear Ventilation; Nasal Decongestants; Otitis Media; Pseudoephedrine; Triprolidine

Glue ear is a common condition in childhood. In this report treatment by Bisolvon and Actifed is described. In 60 patients, a success rate of 90% was recorded.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Bromhexine; Child; Child, Preschool; Drug Combinations; Drug Therapy, Combination; Ephedrine; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Middle Aged; Otitis Media; Pyridines; Triprolidine