Pretreatment of Exercise‐Induced Asthma in Adults with Aerosols and Pulverized Tablets

Abstract

Eighteen adult asthmatics took part in a double-blind crossover study comparing the effect on exercise-induced asthma (EIA) of pretreatment with aerosolized disodium cromoglycate (DSCG), ipratropium bromide (IPTB), fenoterol, DSCG + IPTB and saline. EIA was completely blocked by pretreatment with the .beta.2-agonist, fenoterol. The protective effect of nebulized DSCG and IPTB given alone could not be distinguished from that of isotonic saline. The combination of DSCG and IPTB reduced the post exercise bronchoconstriction more than any of the 2 drugs given separately. Of the 18 patients, 13 went on to a double-blind cross-over study of the effect on EIA of pretreatment with the usually recommended dosages of salbutamol, theophylline and their combination administered as pulverized tablets. Seven patients were withdrawn from the part of the study because of side-effects and in the remaining 6 none of the oral pretreatments could be distinguished from placebo, despite serum theophylline concentrations within or above the commonly recommended therapeutical range.