Azelastine therapy
for asthma
Canadian Medical Association Journal 1996; 154: 863
Source: Busse WW, Middleton E, Storms W et al: Corticosteroid-sparing effect of azelastine in the management of bronchial asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1996; 153: 122-127
A multicentre trial was conducted in the United States to determine whether treatment with the novel anti-inflammatory drug azelastine could reduce the need for inhaled corticosteroids in patients with moderate to severe chronic bronchial asthma. Researchers randomly assigned 193 patients aged 12 to 73 years to receive, in combination with inhaled beclomethasone, azelastine (6 mg three times daily) or a placebo. Beclomethasone therapy was tapered over 8 weeks and then maintained at the lowest possible dose for 12 weeks. Over twice as many patients in the treatment group as in the control group were able to reduce corticosteroid use by at least 75% or to discontinue it completely. Taste alteration, somnolence and weight gain were the most frequently reported adverse effects in the treatment group.
| CMAJ March 15, 1996 (vol 154, no 6) |