Prophylactic nedocromil sodium therapy for childhood asthma

Canadian Medical Association Journal 1996; 154: 864

Source: König P, Eigen H, Ellis MH et al: The effect of nedocromil sodium on childhood asthma during the viral season. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1995; 152: 1879-1886

To determine whether nedocromil sodium therapy could prevent asthma attacks triggered by respiratory infection, researchers in the United States randomly assigned 93 children aged 6 to 12 years with mild to moderate asthma to receive 0.5% nedocromil sodium nebulizer solution or a placebo three times daily during the peak season for viral infections. Significant improvements were noted in the treatment group in the first 4 weeks for asthmatic cough, daytime asthma symptoms and combined daytime and nighttime asthma symptoms, and the peak expiratory flow rate was significantly higher at weeks 9 to 12. The number of asthma-free days over the 24-week period was significantly higher in the treatment group, and bronchial hyperreactivity and the use of rescue medication were reduced but not significantly. Although treatment did not prevent infection or the exacerbation of asthma, the treatment group did have an overall improvement in their asthma and more rapid resolution of symptoms after infection.

| CMAJ March 15, 1996 (vol 154, no 6) |