[A second drug in nonatopic asthma insufficiently controlled with beta 2-adrenergic stimulants: budesonide versus theophylline].
We assessed whether theophylline or budesonide (an inhaled corticosteroid) is the most adequate drug to be added to the treatment of patients insufficiently controlled with beta agonists (procaterol). Two comparable groups of nonatopic asthmatic adults (n = 24), aged between 16 and 66 years (42 +/- 17), were investigated in a crossed, randomized study. After 4 weeks with procaterol + 800 micrograms of budesonide, the forced expiratory flow improved (p less than 0.01), the degree of bronchial hyperreactivity to histamine was reduced (p less than 0.001), the daily recorded symptomatology almost disappeared in all and the number of procaterol inhalations was reduced (p less than 0.05). The combination of theophylline + procaterol during 4 weeks did not improve these parameters from their baseline values. It was concluded that inhaled steroids are the drugs of choice in patients with asthma which is not controlled only with beta agonists.
Marín
J M
JM
Unidades de Neumología, Hospital General San Jorge, Huesca.
Carrizo
S
S
García
R
R
Ejea
M V
MV
D000293:Adolescent; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019819:Budesonide; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011282:Pregnenediones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013806:Theophylline / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011282:Pregnenediones; D019819:Budesonide; D013806:Theophylline