title: Alternative agents for anti-inflammatory treatment of asthma.
abstract: Recent guidelines for the management of asthma have emphasized the role of inflammation in persistent asthma. Medications with anti-inflammatory properties are recommended as the primary long-term-control medications. Of the available choices of long-term-control medications, inhaled corticosteroids are the preferred medication. A literature review of the available studies supports this recommendation of inhaled corticosteroids as the preferred agents for long-term control. Other long-term-control medications--specifically nedocromil, theophylline, and leukotriene modifiers, but not cromolyn--can supplement the beneficial effect of inhaled corticosteroids on pulmonary function and symptom control. Long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonists can also provide an additive clinical benefit to inhaled corticosteroids on symptom control and pulmonary function, but they do not provide additional anti-inflammatory effect. Extended long-term studies of each of the long-term-control medications with anti-inflammatory actions are needed to assess their specific effect on airway remodeling and on the natural history of asthma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, Colorado 80206, USA.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Szefler
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents