Erdosteine for COPD exacerbations.

The mucolytic drug erdosteine (Erdotin - Galen) is licensed in the UK as treatment for up to 10 days "for the symptomatic treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis in adults". This indication differs from that for carbocisteine and mecysteine, two older mucolytic drugs that are licensed for adjunctive treatment in respiratory disorders characterised by viscous mucus, and typically used for longer to prevent exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Does erdosteine have a role for people with COPD exacerbations?