title: Alternative drug therapy for asthma.
abstract: Individualized management of asthma requires consideration of single or combined pharmacologic alternatives. This article reviews experimental and clinical data on the efficacy, safety, mode of action, and therapeutic indications for cromolyn and related inhalational compounds; ketotifen; alpha-adrenergic blockers; calcium-channel blockers; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; and such diverse agents as immunosuppressive drugs, ether, alcohol, ascorbic acid, and other nutritional substances.
mesh_terms: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007665:Ketotifen / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium; D007665:Ketotifen