Efficacy of fenspirid (Erespal) in chronic obstructive lung disease

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess efficacy of the antiinflammatory drug fenspirid (Erespal) in patients with stable COPD. The study was opened, comparative, randomized, multicentre and involved 84 patients with 2 stage stable COPD from 7 Russian medical centres. The patients were randomly divided in 2 groups: the study group (42 patients) received Erespal during 6 months additionally to the standard therapy, the comparative group (42 patients) received the standard therapy only which included ipratropium bromide (Atrovent) 2 doses twice daily and salbutamol as needed. Significant improvement in cough severity (p = 0.004), need in salbutamol (p = 0.023). and FEV₁ (p = 0.012) was noted in the Erespal group by the end of the study period. These parameters also improved in the comparative group but with no statistical significance. The exacerbation rate was lower in the Erespal group but the difference was not significant. Quality of life improved in all the parameters in the Erespal group and only in psychical health in the comparative group. Therefore, Erespal allows improving cough severity, need in salbutamol, and quality of life, slowing FEV₁ decline. The rate of side effects while using Erespal is similar to the standard therapy. The results show reasonability of basic administration of Erespal in stable 2 stage COPD patients.