Prednisone, azathioprine, and N-acetylcysteine for pulmonary fibrosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A combination of prednisone, azathioprine, and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been widely used as a treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The safety and efficacy of this three-drug regimen is unknown.

Methods

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we assigned patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis who had mild-to-moderate lung-function impairment to one of three groups -- receiving a combination of prednisone, azathioprine, and NAC (combination therapy), NAC alone, or placebo -- in a 1:1:1 ratio. The primary outcome was the change in longitudinal measurements of forced vital capacity during a 60-week treatment period.

Results

When approximately 50% of data had been collected (with 77 patients in the combination-therapy group and

SUBMITTER: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Clinical Research Network 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3422642 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature