title: Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of multiple doses of azelastine to adult patients with bronchial asthma over time.
abstract: Azelastine is a new oral antiasthma agent with bronchodilating and antiallergic properties. This 12-wk study compared azelastine (2, 4, 6, and 8 mg) and placebo given twice a day in asthmatics 12 to 60 yr of age requiring daily bronchodilator therapy. Patients were allowed albuterol aerosol, short-acting theophylline, and pseudoephedrine only as needed. The study was completed by 221 asthmatic subjects. No significant differences in symptoms, medication, or pulmonary function existed between groups at baseline. Analysis of the zero hour FEV1 before azelastine administration on eight occasions during the 12 wk of therapy indicated an increasing slope for azelastine 6 mg that was statistically different from that of placebo; similarly, the slope for azelastine 4 mg showed the same trend, but it did not reach statistical significance. All azelastine groups had significant reductions of as-needed medication after 1 wk; only in the 4-mg and 6-mg groups was this reduction sustained for 12 wk. Asthma symptom scores and peak expiratory flow measurements remained stable in the azelastine groups despite significant reductions in concomitant medication administration. Side effects were minor and included: altered taste (30.1 to 51.9%), drowsiness (6.0 to 16.9%), and dry mouth (3.8 to 6.1%). The occurrence of these adverse events decreased with time throughout the study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Atlanta Allergy & Immunology Research Foundation, Georgia.
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Tinkelman
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Bucholtz
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Kemp
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Koepke
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Repsher
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Spector
authors.forename: W W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Storms
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van As
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D010793:Phthalazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011724:Pyridazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000187:drug effects; D013651:Taste Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D010793:Phthalazines; D011724:Pyridazines; C020976:azelastine