Demulcent

Abstract: Purpose. To evaluate the efficacy of a new lubricant eye drop containing polyethylene glycol 400 and propylene glycol demulcents with hydroxypropyl-guar as a gelling agent (Test Product) to a system with carboxymethylcellulose (Control Product) for reducing dry eye signs and symptoms. Methods. Eighty-seven dry eye volunteers were enrolled at seven sites for this six-week, concurrently controlled, double-masked clinical study. Results. The Test Product significantly reduced conjunctival staining (p = 0.025) and temporal corneal staining (p = 0.024) compared to the Control. The Test Product also significantly reduced symptoms of dryness in the morning and evening, compared to the Control (p = 0.015 and p = 0.023, respectively). Subjects in the Test treatment group reported lower frequencies of foreign body sensation and felt their eyes were “refreshed longer” compared to those in the Control group (p = 0.033 and p = 0.037, respectively). Conclusions. The Test Product was more effective at reducing both the ...

Abstract: Objectives To investigate the efficacy and safety of CS1002, an over-the-counter cough treatment containing diphenhydramine, ammonium chloride and levomenthol in a cocoa-based demulcent. Design A multicentre, randomised, parallel group, controlled, single-blinded study in participants with acute upper respiratory tract infection-associated cough. Setting 4 general practitioner (GP) surgeries and 14 pharmacies in the UK. Participants Participants aged ≥18 years who self-referred to a GP or pharmacist with acute cough of Interventions Participants were randomised to CS1002 (Unicough) or simple linctus (SL), a widely used cough treatment, and treatment duration was 7 days or until resolution of cough. Main outcome measures The primary analysis was intention-to-treat (157 participants) and comprised cough severity assessed using a VAS after 3 days9 treatment (prespecified primary end point at day 4). Cough frequency, sleep disruption, health status (Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ-acute)) and cough resolution were also assessed. Results At day 4 (primary end point), the adjusted mean difference (95% CI) in cough severity VAS between CS1002 and SL was −5.9 mm (−14.4 to 2.7), p=0.18. At the end of the study (day 7) the mean difference in cough severity VAS was −4.2 mm (−12.2 to 3.9), p=0.31. CS1002 was associated with a greater reduction in cough sleep disruption (mean difference −11.6 mm (−20.6 to 2.7), p=0.01) and cough frequency (mean difference −8.1 mm (−16.2 to 0.1), p=0.05) compared with SL. There was greater improvement in LCQ-acute quality of life scores with CS1002 compared with SL: mean difference (95% CI) 1.2 (0.05 to 2.36), p=0.04 after 5 days9 treatment. More participants prematurely stopped treatment due to cough improvement in the CS1002 group (24.4%) compared with SL (10.7%; p=0.02). Adverse events (AEs) were comparable between CS1002 (20.5%) and SL (27.6%) and largely related to the study indication. 6 participants (7%) in the CS1002 group reduced the dose of medication due to drowsiness/tiredness, which subsequently resolved. These events were not reported by participants as AEs. Conclusions Although the primary end point was not achieved, CS1002 was associated with greater reductions in cough frequency, sleep disruption and improved health status compared with SL. Trial registration number EudraCT number 2014-004255-31.

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of Throat Coat® (Traditional Medicinals,® Sebastopol, CA), a traditional demulcent herbal tea, in comparison with a placebo tea in the symptomatic treatment of acute pharyngitis. Design: Multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, two-armed, parallel-group clinical trial. Settings: Three primary care clinics in Duluth, MN, Madison, WI, and Middleton, WI. Subjects: Patients of both genders (≥18 years of age) with clinical diagnoses of acute pharyngitis. Interventions: Patients (n = 60) were randomly assigned to receive 5-8 oz of Throat Coat (n = 30) or a placebo (n = 30), four to six times daily. The study period was 2 to 7 days with a window for the follow-up visit of 2-10 days accounting for the variable duration of sore throat symptoms. Outcome measures: Primary efficacy parameter: sum of pain intensity differences (SPID) for pain in throat on swallowing, calculated as the area under the curve (AUC) of pain intensity differe...

Abstract: An acute cough is a common reason for medical consultation in the pediatric age group, particularly in the setting of an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). Traditionally, honey is used as a home remedy for treating an URTI in many parts of the world. Its use is supported by the fact that honey has both antimicrobial and wound-healing properties. Due to its inexpensiveness, easy availability and safety (in children above the age of 12 months), the World Health Organization endorsed the use of honey as a demulcent in the symptomatic relief of a cough and sore throat. A literature review of PubMed identified 6 randomized controlled trials that compared honey against over-the-counter (OTC) cough medications, and no treatment, in the pediatric population. It was shown that honey was more efficacious than no treatment and at least as efficacious as OTC cough medications. As OTC cough medications are associated with morbidity and mortality in pediatrics, the potential utilization of honey as an alternative therapeutic option in pediatrics warrants further objective research in the context of clinical practice.