Clinical trials with the new antitussive levodropropizine in adult bronchitic patients.

The results of 6 clinical trials involving a total of 174 patients are reported. Levodropropizine (S(-)-3-(4-phenyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propane-1,2-diol, DF 526) was compared in double-blind manner with placebo, morclofone and cloperastine. The antitussive activity and therapeutic efficacy of the drug were shown to be greater than those of placebo and morclofone and similar to those of cloperastine. Levodropropizine was effective in about 80% of patients; in responders, cough frequency was reduced by an average of 33-51%. Levodropropizine was generally well tolerated and mild side-effects were reported for only 3% of patients.