title: Comparison of two different dose regimens of nedocromil sodium with placebo in the management of childhood asthma.
abstract: According to the recent guidelines, persistent asthma requires daily antiinflammatory treatment with either nedocromil sodium, cromolyn sodium or inhaled corticosteroids. In choosing the most appropriate drug, it is wise to weigh the therapeutic advantages against possible side effects, particularly in patients at the milder end of disease spectrum and in children. Cromolyn sodium and nedocromil sodium both have strong safety profiles, and nedocromil sodium has been reported to have a broader spectrum of efficacy than cromolyn sodium. In an attempt to provide data for the efficacy of two different dose regimens of inhaled nedocromil sodium in childhood asthma, a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel group study was conducted in 38 subjects with mild to moderate persistent asthma. After a 2-week run-in period, patients were randomly allocated into one of the three study groups and treated with either placebo or with two times daily (4 mg b.i.d.) or four times daily (4 mg q.i.d.) regimens of inhaled nedocromil sodium for 8 weeks. Symptom scores, bronchodilator requirements, FEV1, daily PEFs and methacholine hyperreactivity were evaluated at study entry, before randomization and at weeks 4 and 8 of treatment. In the four times daily treatment group, slight but significant increases were observed in FEV1, peak expiratory flows and symptom scores (p < 0.05 for each). However, there was no significant change in methacholine hyperreactivity and bronchodilator requirement. In the two times dose regimen and placebo groups, there were no improvements in any of the variables. The compliance, measured as the reduced weight of the canisters, was low, but was not different between the two nedocromil sodium treatment groups. The four times daily regimen of nedocromil sodium was effective in improving control of mild to moderate persistent asthma in children, whereas the two times daily regimen failed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Sekerel
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Saraçlar
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Etikan
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kalayci
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017835:Nedocromil / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010349:Patient Compliance
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D017835:Nedocromil