NEDOCROMIL SODIUM VERSUS ALBUTEROL IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ALLERGIC-ASTHMA

In a double-blind, double-placebo, randomized crossover study, we comp ared the effects of 6 wk of treatment with the anti-inflammatory drug nedocromil sodium (16 mg/day) with 6 wk of treatment with the bronchod ilator drug albuterol (800 mu g/day) in 29 adults with allergic asthma . After 3 and 6 wk of treatment with nedocromil sodium, patients were significantly less hyperresponsive to propranolol (p = 0.002 and p 0.0 2) and almost significantly less hyperresponsive to histamine(p = 0.07 1 and p = 0.065). FEV, and FVC percent predicted tended to be higher, morning PEF values increased significantly(p = 0.038 and p = 0.03), an d diurnal and day-to-day PEF variation decreased (p = 0.03 and p = 0.0 93, p = 0.005 and p = 0.096, resectively) with nedocromil sodium treat ment compared with albuterol treatment. Almost all symptoms (daytime a nd nighttime asthma, wheezing, shortness of breath) and the additional bronchodilator use were significantly reduced with nedocromil sodium treatment compared with albuterol treatment. Treatment with the anti-i nflammatory drug nedocromil sodium was shown to be superior to treatme nt with the bronchodilator drug albuterol. The patient's clinical situ ation may deteriorate when beta(2)-agonists are used continuously. Ned ocromil sodium has good clinical effect, and it may serve as a first-l ine choice for antiinflammatory therapy in asthma.