ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the efficacy of high-dose ambroxol in elderly patients with aspiration pneumonias. Methods Totally 62 patients aged 65 years and over with aspiration pneumonia were enrolled into 2 groups:conventional-dose group intravenously given ambroxol 60 mg/d (n=30) and high-dose group received 270 mg/d (n=32).The times of remission and fever disappearance,rate of adverse effects,average duration of hospitalization,rates of mortality and recurrence within 2 months were observed. Results There were no significant differences in clinical charecteristics between the two groups.The times of remission and fever disappear ance and average duration of hospitalization were lower in high-dose group than in conventional-dose group [(3.2±0.6)d,(54.2±19.5)h,(12.7±4.1) d vs.(3.8±1.1)d,(66.5±18.4)h,(13.5±3.1)d,t=2.11,2.36,2.04,all P＜0.05].No differences were found in rates of mortality and recurrence within 2 months between the two groups (6.3％,3.1％ vs.10.0％,13.3％,x2=0.01,0.87,both P＞0.05).Adverse effects did not appear in the two dose groups. Conclusions High-dose ambroxol is efficient and safe for aspiration pneumonia in elderly patients.