Steroid-sparing effect of ketotifen in steroid-dependent asthmatics: a long period evaluation in 12 patients.
An open pilot study was carried out over a period of more than 2 years to assess the steroid-sparing effect of ketotifen (1 mg twice daily) in 12 steroid-dependent asthmatic patients. Daily steroid consumption (prednisolone equivalent) was calculated for the year before and for 1 and 2 years of ketotifen treatment from the total of all doses given throughout the year. Results showed that in 6 of the 12 patients who responded with reduced steroid consumption the mean daily dose decreased from 5.7 mg to 4.1 mg/day (p less than 0.05) in the first year of ketotifen: the final mean reduction rate at the end of the 2-year trail was 83.6% (p less than 0.005). Furthermore, the mean daily consumption of beta 2-stimulants (salbutamol equivalent) decreased from 8.7 to 6.2 mg/day (p less than 0.025) in the responders. In the 6 non-responders, there was a slight increase in mean daily steroid consumption from 2.4 mg to 3.0 mg/day. The most frequently reported side-effect of ketotifen was dizziness, which occurred in one-third of the patients; all patients, however, were able to continue with treatment.
Kasuya
S
S
Department of Internal Medicine, Tohno Hospital, Kani City, Japan.
Izumi
S
S
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007665:Ketotifen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013256:Steroids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D013256:Steroids; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011239:Prednisolone; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D007665:Ketotifen