Beclomethasone given after the early asthmatic response inhibits the late response and the increased methacholine responsiveness and cromolyn does not

J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1993 Jun;91(6):1163-8. doi: 10.1016/0091-6749(93)90319-b.

Abstract

Background: Single doses of inhaled beclomethasone or inhaled cromolyn, given before allergen inhalation, inhibit allergen-induced late asthmatic responses (LARs) and increased airway responsiveness (delta log methacholine PC20). We hypothesized that when given 2 hours after allergen, beclomethasone might work better than cromolyn.

Methods: In 10 patients with mild, stable, atopic asthma with LARs or delta log PC20 or both, we performed a double-blind, double-dummy, random-order trial comparing a single dose of inhaled beclomethasone (500 micrograms), cromolyn (20 mg), and placebo, administered 2 hours after allergen challenge on LAR and delta log PC20.

Results: The treatment effect on LAR was significant (p < 0.001). The LAR after beclomethasone (7.3% +/- 6.1%) was significantly less than after cromolyn (20.4% +/- 15.2%) or placebo (26.4% +/- 8.2%); cromolyn was not different from placebo. There was a borderline treatment effect on delta log PC20 (p = 0.056) with beclomethasone (0.12 +/- 0.31) less than placebo (0.37 +/- 0.39) but not less than cromolyn (0.34 +/- 0.18).

Conclusion: Beclomethasone (500 micrograms) administered 2 hours after allergen challenge markedly inhibited the LAR and had a small effect on allergen-induced airway responsiveness. Cromolyn (20 mg) was not effective on maximal LAR; a small effect on the early part of the LAR was suggested.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Asthma / drug therapy*
  • Asthma / physiopathology
  • Beclomethasone / administration & dosage
  • Beclomethasone / therapeutic use*
  • Bronchial Provocation Tests
  • Cromolyn Sodium / therapeutic use*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Forced Expiratory Volume / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methacholine Chloride*

Substances

  • Methacholine Chloride
  • Beclomethasone
  • Cromolyn Sodium