Clinical Efficacy of Carbocysteine in COPD: Beyond the Mucolytic Action

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous disease with a versatile and complicated profile, being the fourth most common single cause of death worldwide. Several research groups have been trying to identify possible therapeutic approaches to treat COPD, such as the use of mucoactive drugs which includes carbocysteine. However, their role in the treatment of patients suffering from COPD remains controversial due to COPD’s multifaceted profile. In the present review, 72 articles, published in peer-reviewed journals with high impact factor, have been analyzed in order to provide significant insight and increase the knowledge about COPD con-sidering the important contribution of carbocysteine in reducing exarcebations which occurs via multiple mechanisms. Carbocysteine is in fact able to modulate mucins and ciliary functions, counteract viral and bacterial infections as well as oxidative stress, offering cytoprotective actions. Furthermore, carbocysteine improves steroid responsiveness and exerts anti-inflammatory ac-tivity. This analysis demonstrates that the use of carbocysteine in COPD patients represents a well-tolerated treatment, with favorable safety prolife that might contribute to a better quality of life for patients suffering from this serious illness.