Post-viral cough, a type of cough originates from upper respiratory tract infections, which persists after the infection is resolved. Hypothesis suggests that bronchodilators might play a key role in the management of post-viral cough; however, studies demonstrating its effectivity are scarce. 

Thus, authors of the present randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study evaluated the therapeutic potential of a combination of a β-agonist (salbutamol) and an anticholinergic agent in reducing post-viral cough. The recruited patients were administered with either a nebulized combination of salbutamol 1.875 mg/0.5 mL and ipratropium bromide 0.375 mg/0.5 mL, or a placebo, for a period of 10 days and were further followed up for another 10 days. Daytime and night-time cough severity and spirometry testing were measured before the initiation of treatment, after 10 and 20 days. The enrolled 92 patients were randomized to receive placebo or the active treatment, among which nine of them (4 in the placebo group, 5 in the active treatment group) dropped out from the study.

The results showed that daytime and night-time cough severity were remarkably decreased in both groups during the study period. Moreover, the reduction was more prominent in the active treatment group in contrast to placebo after 10 days of treatment. A substantial increase in spirometric parameters were reported in the active treatment in comparison to placebo group. Furthermore, the frequency of adverse events was also comparable between the two groups of patients. 

Thus, the study concluded that a combination of a β-agonist, i.e., salbutamol and an anticholinergic agent could successfully reduce post-viral cough with insignificant adverse effects, and can act as a potential therapy against this type of cough.

Source: Zanasi A, Lecchi M, Del Forno M, Fabbri E, Mastroroberto M, Mazzolini M, Pisani L, Pandolfi P, Nava S, Morselli-Labate AM. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial on the management of post-infective cough by inhaled ipratropium and salbutamol administered in combination. Pulm Pharmacol Ther. 2014 Dec;29(2):224-32.