Nedocromil and exercise-induced asthma: Acute and chronic effects

Background: Nedocromil sodium confers both acute and chronic protective eff ects in patients with bronchial asthma, the interactions of which are unkno wn. Objective: To examine to what extent and for how long nedocromil sodium pre vents exercise-induced asthma when given immediately before exertion compar ed to chronic administration. Patients and Methods: Eighteen asthmatic patients were given 4 mg NS at 30 min or 3.5 hours before exertion. We compared the resultant effect with tha t of the same protocol measured after 2 and 4 weeks of continuous treatment with the drug. Results: Nedocromil sodium decreased exercise-induced asthma similarly at b oth points when given acutely. Chronic treatment of up to 4 weeks did not i mprove this protective effect at either interval following the inhalation, Conclusion: Nedocromil sodium most likely reaches its maximal effect on exe rcise-induced asthma upon the first administration, although treatment for longer than 4 weeks might be required to prove a chronic effect of the drug .