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Oral ambroxol adversely effects tear film, ocular surface, study finds
Oral ambroxol significantly increased tear osmolarity in the eyes of healthy subjects, according to a study.
The study included 10 healthy male patients who received oral ambroxol hydrochloride; a control group of 10 patients did not receive ambroxol.
Investigators assessed visual analog pain scale scores, fluorescein corneal staining, tear film breakup time, fluorescein clearance test, Schirmer testing scores and tear osmolarity at baseline, 12 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. the following day.
Tear film breakup time decreased significantly in the ambroxol group at 6 p.m. (P = .011). Tear osmolarity was significantly higher in the ambroxol group than in the control group at 6 p.m. (P = .043).
Mean tear secretion increased significantly in the ambroxol group by 10 a.m. the following day (P = .022).
The mean visual analog pain scale score also increased significantly in the ambroxol group at 6 p.m. (P = .007) and by 10 a.m. the following day (P = .018).
Disclosure: This study was supported by the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation grant. The study authors report no relevant financial disclosures.