[Evaluation of the safety of antitussive agents during respiratory rehabilitation. A clinical study of L-dropropizine].

This study proves that L-dropropizine, a new peripheral antitussive drug, does not hinder the positive and useful effect of cough. This is particularly the case of physiokinesis in chronic obstructive lung disease patients. To quantify results, the respiratory voluntary muscles have been examined by surface electromyography and the peak expiratory flow has been registered by a computer-assisted device. By analysing the curves obtained relating the intensity of muscle contraction to expiratory flow, i.e. the muscle work exerted, no difference has been found after L-dropropizine and placebo. Statistical analysis evidenced increase in maximal peak expiratory flow and decrease in muscle work with both therapies. Both were significant (Student's test for paired data: p less than 0.01) in attaining functional improvement. Levodropropizine does not seem to impair the efficacy of cough elicited as part of respiratory clearance mechanisms.