Tiaramide--a new oral drug for the treatment of asthma.
1 TIaramide, an anti-inflammatory drug, inhibits the action of mediators released from mast cells and has direct smooth muscle relaxant properties. It may therefore have a beneficial effect in asthma. 2 A double-blind crossover trial comparing the bronchodilator activity of tiaramide and placebo over 16 days was undertaken in 13 patients with asthma. 3 Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was recorded on three separate occasions every day and frequency of salbutamol aerosol usage was noted on a diary card. 4 During treatment with tiaramide the mean mid-morning PEFR (362 1/min) was higher than mean PEFR on placebo (328) (P less than 0.001) as was the evening PEFR (378) compared with placebo (388) (P less than 0.001). 5 There was a significant reduction in daily use of the salbutamol inhaler whilst on tiaramide (1.8) compared with placebo (2.3) (P less than 0.05). 6. Tiaramide may be a useful addition to existing prophylactic treatment for asthma.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D052160:Benzothiazoles; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D052160:Benzothiazoles; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D010879:Piperazines; C003468:tiaramide