Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction in Patients with Bronchial Asthma. Its Prevention with an Antihistaminic Agent

Abstract

Fourteen asthmatic patients developing regularly exercise-induced bronchoconstriction were subjected to a submaximal exercise on a bicycle ergometer. On the 1st day the exercise was not preceded by any medication; on the 2nd, 50 mg thiazinamium was given, and on the 3rd day 2 mg atropine was given before the exercise. The changes in the caliber of the bronchi were assessed with a Wright peak flow meter. With thiazinamium a complete protection against the bronchoconstriction was observed in 12 patients, while in one the protection was partial and in another no beneficial effect of the drug was found. Protection given by thiazinamium appears to be due to its antihistaminic property and not to the anticholinergic one, since 10 patients were protected by thiazinamium, whereas only 2 were protected by atropine.