Long-term study of the protective effect of ketotifen in children with allergic bronchial asthma. The value of a provocation test in assessment of treatment.
The effect of ketotifen on allergic symptoms and parameters of respiratory function were studied in 23 allergic children during a period of 6 months therapy. A reduction in nocturnal dyspnea and dyspnea during exercise was observed in 17 patients. Improvement of the FVC, PEF and FEV1 was detected in 14, 15 and 19 patients, respectively. Following a 4-day treatment with ketotifen, a further 15 patients with allergen-induced bronchospasm were challenged by inhalative provocation test, comparing the protective effects of ketotifen and  of DSCG in a randomized double-blind crossover study. 7 of 15 patients showed an improved allergen tolerance to the immediate hypersensitivity with ketotifen and 5 patients with DSCG. A protective effect with respect to the delayed hypersensitivity reaction was observe in 2 of 8 patients with ketotifen and in 1 with DSCG.
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007665:Ketotifen; D010880:Piperidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011379:Prognosis; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D010880:Piperidines; D013876:Thiophenes; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium; D007665:Ketotifen