This study investigated the effect of diclofenac on the lung function of 70
children aged 6-15 years with a diagnosis or asthma, recruited from a hosp
ital respiratory clinic. Peak flow and a forced expiratory flow-volume loop
were measured and the patients were then given 1-1.5 mg.kg(-1) effervescen
t diclofenac orally. Spirometry was repeated at 10, 20 and 30 min, a 15% de
crease in results being considered a significant reduction in lung function
. No patient demonstrated a consistent reduction in lung function of > 15%
during the study and there were no reports of wheezing or increased broncho
dilator use after completion of the spirometry. In conclusion, we studied a
group of genuine asthmatics and found no clinically significant incidence
of bronchospasm with the use of a single therapeutic dose of diclofenac.