Comparative efficacy of inhaled furosemide and disodium cromoglycate in the treatment of exercise-induced asthma in children.
BACKGROUND
Inhaled furosemide has been shown, in patients with asthma, to have prophylactic properties similar to those of disodium cromoglycate.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of these drugs in the treatment of exercise-induced asthma.


METHODS
Fifteen children with exercise-induced asthma (mean age, 10.8 years) underwent exercise challenge after a single dose of nebulized placebo, furosemide (20 mg/m7 body area), or disodium cromoglycate (20 mg), 2 days apart, in a single-blind crossover trial.


RESULTS
Both furosemide and disodium cromoglycate exerted significant protection against the bronchial response to exercise challenge, with a mean maximum percentage falls in FEV1 of 4.66% and 7.22%, respectively (p < 0.05). On the placebo day, the mean maximum percentage fall in FEV1 was 34.50% (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that furosemide and disodium cromoglycate provide comparable efficacy in preventing exercise-induced asthma in children, with no side effects.
Melo
R E
RE
Department of Pediatrics, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, Brasil.
Solé
D
D
Naspitz
C K
CK
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001250:Asthma, Exercise-Induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004232:Diuretics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005665:Furosemide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013147:Spirometry
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D005665:Furosemide; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium