The Influence of Various Drugs on the Vital Capacity of Asthmatics

Abstract

The influence of various drugs on the lowered vital capacity (VC) in asthmatics (who were more or less chronically dyspneic, and who usually belonged to the older, non-allergic class of patients) was investigated, the results being compared with those of epinephrine (0.3 mg subcutaneously). Thiazinamidum (Multergan, 25 mg intramuscularly), methantheline (Banthine, 25 mg intramuscularly), propantheline (Pro-Banthine) and Folia belladonnae (Bellafoline) exerted a significantly greater effect than epinephrine, while pyrasinamine (Antallergan, 20 mg intramuscularly), aminophylline (250 mg intravenously) and atropine (0.25 mg subcutaneously) had a less favorable effect. The differences were not significant, however. Hexamethonium(C6,10 mg subcutaneously) exerted only slight effects in the doses that were tolerated. Protection tests in asthma attacks produced with inhalation of allergen extracts showed that epinephrine and thiazinamidum offered considerable or complete protection, in contrast to atropine, propantheline, pyrasinamine and Folia belladonnae which were ineffective. Aminophylline was moderately effective. Comparison of the results of the above-mentioned drugs in their effects on the lowered VC in the older asthmatics with those in the protection tests in younger patients, showed that they are essentially the same, with the exception of propantheline, methantheline and Folia belladonnae. In the dosages used, these substances exerted a favorable influence on the lowered VC, but had only a slight to moderate effect on asthma attacks provoked by allergens. A clear discrepancy exists between the favorable clinical effect of aminophylline and its results in spirography and in protection tests. Thiazinamidum had both a favorable effect on the VC and good protective activity in the asthma attack produced by allergens.