A comparison of inhaled albuterol and cromolyn in the prophylaxis of exercise-induced bronchospasm.
Inhaled albuterol and cromolyn by spinhaler have both been shown to be effective in the treatment of exercise-induced bronchospasm. Eighty subjects with exercise-induced bronchospasm participated in a randomized parallel group study comparing albuterol (180 microgram) and cromolyn (20 mg) administered 15 minutes prior to a standardized treadmill challenge. The cromolyn group was restudied after 2 and 4 weeks of 4 times/day cromolyn therapy. The albuterol group was also studied at 2 and 4 weeks, but they only used their inhaler as needed between study visits. The mean maximum FEV1 drop post-exercise in the albuterol group improved from 33% (screening visit) to 6% (treatment day 1). The cromolyn group showed significantly less (P less than .01) improvement than the albuterol group (31% drop at the screening visit to 14% drop at treatment day 1). When 2 or 4 weeks of continuous cromolyn therapy was given in addition to a dosage 15 minutes prior to exercise, there was no significant difference compared with acute cromolyn administration alone. In summary, acute administration of albuterol was better prophylaxis for exercise-induced bronchospasm than acute or chronic cromolyn treatment.
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001250:Asthma, Exercise-Induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation; D012646:Self Administration
D004205:Cromolyn Sodium; D000420:Albuterol