Erdosteine (Erdotin) Versus Standard Care Plus Placebo on Erdosteine for Treatment of Cough in Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Inclusion Criteria: * Male/females aged between 40-80 years * Previous diagnosis of COPD * Acute exacerbation of COPD requiring treatment with antibiotics and/or corticosteroids * Symptoms of increased breathlessness, cough, sputum volume or sputum purulence * Acute exacerbation of COPD hospitalised within 24hrs of study participation. * On a stable therapeutic regimen for COPD for 8 weeks prior to inclusion * Known history of cigarette smoking at least 10 pack yrs * Willing and able to comply with study procedures * Able to provide written informed consent to participate Exclusion Criteria: * Acute exacerbation of COPD within 8 weeks prior to inclusion * Arterial blood gas on admission \< pH 7.26 * Currently on treatment with mucolytics * Patients suffering from post nasal drip, or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease * Clinically significant or unstable concurrent disease e.g. left ventricular failure, diabetes mellitus * On long-term oxygen therapy * Known or suspected hypersensitivity to erdosteine