Ketotifen in asthma.
Sixty children aged 5-13 years with moderately severe asthma took part in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of ketotifen. The design incorporated a 22 week study period, the addition of ketotifen or placebo to the current medication, and a controlled withdrawal of the regular therapy. Children receiving ketotifen showed significantly lower mean numbers of asthma attacks and less absence from school. The addition of ketotifen to existing treatment was associated with marginally significant changes in rates of day and night wheezing. In the second phase of study, additional therapy was withdrawn from both the ketotifen and placebo groups which resulted in a high (percentage) withdrawal. Children receiving ketotifen did not have a significantly lower failure rate than those given placebo.
Dawson
K P
KP
Department of Paediatrics, Christchurch School of Medicine, Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand.
Fergusson
D M
DM
Horwood
L J
LJ
Mogridge
N
N
D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007665:Ketotifen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D011897:Random Allocation; D013997:Time Factors
D010919:Placebos; D007665:Ketotifen