In this review, the authors look at the mucolytic erdosteine (Erdotin®), and whether it has a role in COPD exacerbations.  The following headings are discussed:

• Is there a place for mucolytics
• About erdosteine
• Combination with antibacterials
• Monotherapy
• Unwanted effects
• Precautions and contraindications
• Cost

The authors conclude: “Erdosteine, a mucolytic drug, is licensed for short-term treatment of patients with "acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis". The few published trials of erdosteine are outdated and of poor quality. Their reports give no information about the severity of participants' respiratory disease and the trials used unvalidated primary outcome measures. Crucially, patients in the studies were not receiving standard treatment for an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as defined by current guidelines. In particular, it is unknown whether erdosteine would provide any benefit to patients on corticosteroid therapy. For all these reasons, we cannot recommend the use of erdosteine.”