A steroid sparing effect of ketotifen in steroid-dependent asthmatics.
In a multicentre, double-blind trial, the steroid sparing effect of a new anti-anaphylactic agent ketotifen was assessed against placebo in eighty-six steroid-dependent asthmatics. Mean reduction in total daily prednisolone dosage in patients on ketotifen was 4.0 +/- 3.6 mg compared to 1.7 +/- 2.8 mg on placebo, a result significantly in favour of the active drug (P < 0.01). This suggests that ketotifen has a place similar to that of disodium cromoglycate or steroid aerosols in the managment of steroid-dependent asthmatics. It has the advantage of requiring only twice-daily oral administration.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007665:Ketotifen; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D010880:Piperidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010919:Placebos; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D010880:Piperidines; D010919:Placebos; D013876:Thiophenes; D011239:Prednisolone; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium; D007665:Ketotifen