Controlled trial of intermittent aerosol therapy with sodium 2-mercaptoethane sulphonate in cystic fibrosis.

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Abstract
Patients (27) with cystic fibrosis completed a controlled trial comparing the effects of an inhaled mucolytic drug, sodium-2-mercaptoethane sulfonate (Mistabron) with inhaled isoosmolar hypertonic saline. As a group the 22 patients with chronic sputum production showed small but statistically significant improvement in pulmonary function tests after Mistabron therapy, both when compared with a control period, and with isoosmolar saline results. Subjective measurements by diary card failed to show any changes. No significant changes were found in 5 patients with no measurable sputum production. The inhalations were given after physiotherapy and were tolerated. There were no significant side effects. The results suggest that Mistabron has a beneficial therapeutic effect unrelated to its osmolality, and the intermittent inhalation of Mistabron may have a role in the treatment of selected patients with cystic fibrosis.