title: The effect of dapsone in steroid-dependent asthma.
abstract: We studied the steroid-sparing effect of dapsone in 10 subjects with chronic asthma in a preliminary open trial. Dapsone was chosen because it inhibits neutrophil function and possesses anti-inflammatory effects in a variety of disorders. The study group consisted of 10 subjects with stable, steroid-dependent asthma, aged 23 to 80 years, with normal glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase levels. Average daily baseline prednisone dose ranged from 5 to 60 mg. Dapsone, 100 mg, twice daily, by mouth, was started after a 1-month baseline period. Baseline steroid dose, symptom scores, and daily peak flow rates were compared to the latest available 4-week period of dapsone treatment. Average cumulative monthly prednisone dose was reduced from 428 mg to 82 mg (p less than 0.02). Five of 10 patients stopped steroids by month 6 and two additional patients by month 13. Two additional patients demonstrated a coincidental 74% reduction in steroid dose, and one patient demonstrated no response. Clinical parameters remained stable despite steroid reduction. These preliminary data suggest dapsone may have steroid-sparing effects in chronic asthma.
authors.affiliation: Allergy and Immunology Division, Sansum Medical Clinic, Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Berlow
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Liebhaber
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Dyer
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Spiegel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003622:Dapsone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013147:Spirometry; D013806:Theophylline / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D003622:Dapsone; D013806:Theophylline; D011241:Prednisone