COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF INHALED FUROSEMIDE AND DISODIUM-CROMOGLYCATE IN THE TREATMENT OF EXERCISE-INDUCED ASTHMA IN CHILDREN

Background: Inhaled furosemide has been shown, in patients with asthma , to have prophylactic properties similar to those of disodium cromogl ycate. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of these drugs in the treatment of exercise-induced asthma. Me thods: Fifteen children with exercise-induced asthma (mean age, 10.8 y ears) underwent exercise challenge after a single dose of nebulized pl acebo, furosemide (20 mg/m(2) body area), or disodium cromoglycate (20 mg), 2 days apart, in a single-blind crossover trial. Results: Both f urosemide and disodium cromoglycate exerted significant protection aga inst the bronchial response to exercise challenge, with a mean maximum percentage falls in FEV(1) of 4.66% and 7.22%, respectively (p < 0.05 ). On the placebo day, the mean maximum percentage fall in FEV(1) was 34.50% (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that furosemide and disodium cromoglycate provide comparable efficacy in pr eventing exercise-induce asthma in children, with no side effects.