Treatment of acute respiratory infections in Slovenian children with ivy leaf extract syrup.

Abstract

Background: The ivy leaf extract is a natural substance with secretolytic effect. Its efficacy and safety have been documented in several randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trials. The aim of our study was to confirm the safety of ivy leaf extract in Slovenian children with acute inflammatory airway disease and to investigate the course of treatment. Methods: 193 children with clinical signs of acute airway disease, aged 2 to 14 years were included in a prospective postmarketing study. At the beginning of the study, 7-day treatment with syrup of ivy leaf extract was started. Results: The treatment was effective in 93.7 % of children, who showed an improvement of clinical symptoms. The proportion of children with productive cough was 43.6 % at first visit and 84.9 % at second visit. Skin allergy as a side effect was reported in one child. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that the treatment with ivy leaf extract is safe in children with acute inflammatory airway disease. The quality of sputum and frequency of cough changed during the treatment, and the majority of physicians and patients estimated that the treatment was more effective than in previous episodes of the disease when they had not received this drug.