title: Adverse effects of brompheniramine on pulmonary function in a subset of asthmatic children.
abstract: The role of antihistamines in the therapy of bronchial asthma has remained controversial. Early studies suggested a possible aggravation of symptoms but more recent studies implied their safety. Ten asthmatic children who reported a feeling of chest tightness and subsequent wheezing after taking a preparation containing brompheniramine maleate were studied in addition to 10 control asthmatic children who reported no such adverse effect. All children were only intermittently symptomatic and did not require constant bronchodilator therapy. They were well at the time of the study. Challenges were performed with the antihistamine alone (4 mg of brompheniramine maleate), a decongestant-antihistamine combination (4 mg of brompheniramine maleate, 5 mg of phenylephrine HCl, 5 mg of phenylpropanolamine HCl), and a placebo. Results indicated a statistically significant decrease in pulmonary function in the study children when challenged with the antihistamine and decongestant-antihistamine preparation but not when challenged with the placebo. The 10 control asthmatic children did not exhibit this phenomenon and premedication with theophylline prevented the decrease in pulmonary function in the study group. Therefore a subset of asthmatic children does appear to exist in whom the use of an antihistamine may be harmful.
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001977:Brompheniramine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008450:Maximal Midexpiratory Flow Rate; D011725:Pyridines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D011725:Pyridines; D013806:Theophylline; D001977:Brompheniramine