NEDOCROMIL - A NEW AGENT FOR THE TREATMENT OF ASTHMA

Nedocromil sodium is a recently approved anti-inflammatory medication for the treatment of mild to moderate asthma. This pyranoquinolone blo cks the inflammatory response in the airways by stabilizing inflammato ry cells (mast cells, bronchial epithelial cells and alveolar macropha ges), by preventing local release of inflammatory mediators, and by bl ocking chemotaxis and preventing the release of inflammatory mediators by inflammatory cells. Nedocromil may also be effective in blocking t he neurogenic component of asthma. The drug is administered by metered -dose inhaler, two 4-mg inhalations four times per day. Clinical impro vement usually occurs within two to four days. Studies of patients rec eiving nedocromil have shown a significant decrease in the number of d ays lost from work or school, an increase in morning peak flow rates a nd a decrease in need for bronchodilator medications. Overall, only 2 to 3 percent of patients discontinue therapy because of adverse side e ffects. With respect to cost, nedocromil is comparable to other inhale d anti-inflammatory agents, and it is a safe and effective first-line therapy for mild to moderate asthma in patients 12 years of age or old er.