randomized controlled trial
some concerns about risk of bias
Bromhexine hydrochloride
Patients in the treatment group received BRH tablets (32 mg t.i.d.) three times per day after meals for 14 consecutive days. Treatment was discontinued once the patient met the discharge criteria.
Standard of care
Antiviral drugs, including arbidol hydrochloride granules (0.1 g–0.2 g t.i.d.) and recombinant human interferon α 2b spray (0.083 mL t.i.d.)
All patients were divided into the treatment group (BRH group) or the control group (control group) at a 2:1 ratio. All participants were treated with antiviral drugs, including arbidol hydrochloride granules (0.1 g–0.2 g t.i.d.) and recombinant human interferon α 2b spray (0.083 mL t.i.d.), on the doctors’ discretion according to China’s Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Diagnosis and Treatment Plan.
COVID-19 mild to moderate
Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 (≥ 18 years but ≤ 80 years) with confirmed or clinically suspected mild or moderatecoronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19), based on China’s Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Diagnosis and Treatment Plan.
Open-label.
Single center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China.
Clinical recovery was defined as clinical symptoms (fever and respiratory symptoms) returning to normal over 48 hours. Disease deterioration was defined as the presence of respiratory distress, respiratory rate ≥ 30 times/minute, oxygen saturation ≤ 93% in the resting state, and oxygenation index ≤ 300 mmHg.