title: The efficacy of nedocromil sodium (Tilade) in asthma.
abstract: Nedocromil sodium is a new antiasthmatic drug with properties similar to sodium cromoglycate. We examined the efficacy of nedocromil sodium compared to placebo in 71 asthmatic patients in a three-centre double-blind parallel group study over 12 weeks. During the study the patients' maintenance inhaled corticosteroids were progressively withdrawn. Nedocromil sodium had an advantage over placebo in the number of withdrawals related to uncontrolled asthma, 14 and 24 respectively (p = 0.03). Changes in symptom scores, peak flow rates and bronchodilator use favoured nedocromil sodium occasionally during the study. The unusual taste of the active drug was reported frequently. Nedocromil sodium is more efficacious than placebo in asthma maintenance, but does not replace inhaled corticosteroids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, SA.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Ruffin
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Alpers
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Pain
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Rubinfeld
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Czarny
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bowes
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017835:Nedocromil; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D011804:Quinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D011804:Quinolines; D017835:Nedocromil; D001507:Beclomethasone