Bronchitis, Acute Bronchitis

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial by Chuchalin AG et al enrolled 124 adults with acute bronchitis present for 48 hours or less, with symptoms greater than 5 points on the Bronchitis Severity Score (BSS: cough, sputum, rales/rhonchi, chest pain at cough, dyspnea). Participants received Pelargonium sidoides (30 drops [1.5 mL]) (n=64) or placebo (n=60) 3 times daily for 7 days. From baseline to day 7, decrease in the BSS in the treatment group was 7.2 points versus 4.9 points for placebo. In the treatment group, at day four onset of treatment effect was reported for 68.8% versus 33.3% for placebo. Patients on pelargonium reported a greater improvement in quality of life status. No serious side effects were reported. (1)