Ivy leaf dry extract EA 575 for the treatment of acute and chronic cough in pediatric patients: review and expert survey

Abstract

Objectives: EA 575 (Prospan) is a herbal medicine containing a dried extract of ivy leaves (drug extract ratio 5–7.5:1; extraction solvent, 30% ethanol). Although widely used for the treatment of cough, there remains a lack of clarity on the effects of EA 575 in children. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of EA 575 in pediatric patients with cough, via a literature review and expert survey. Methods: A MEDLINE/PubMed database search was performed to identify articles evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of EA 575 in pediatric patients with cough. An online survey of international pediatric cough experts was conducted to gather expert opinion regarding the use of EA 575 for pediatric cough. Results: Ten controlled clinical trials and nine observational studies were identified. Controlled trials reported improvements in lung function and subjective cough symptoms with EA 575, while observational studies indicated overall favorable efficacy. EA 575 was generally well tolerated, with a low incidence of adverse events in children of all ages, including those aged <1 year. Survey responses from ten experts aligned with findings from the reviewed studies. Most experts agreed that EA 575 may improve quality of life, and highlighted its potential benefits on sleep. Conclusions: EA 575 has minimal side effects in pediatric patients with cough, as demonstrated by large, real-world studies. EA 575 may provide clinical benefits in pediatric patients; however, more robust clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy.