Disodium cromoglycate use in children and adolescents with asthma: correlation between plasma concentrations and protective effects for various inhalation methods.
BACKGROUND
Few studies have addressed the association between the plasma concentration of disodium cromoglycate and its protective effects on patients with bronchial asthma.


OBJECTIVE
We measured plasma concentrations of disodium cromoglycate for various asthmatic treatments in children and adolescents and estimated plasma concentrations and protective effects.


METHODS
Disodium cromoglycate as a 2-mg aerosol (n = 12), 4-mg aerosol (n = 5), or 20-mg nebulizer solution (n = 13) was inhaled by patients in remission.


RESULTS
The plasma concentrations of disodium cromoglycate after 5 minutes of inhalation were 3.04 +/- 2.72 ng/mL in the 2-mg aerosol group, 2.95 +/- 0.86 ng/mL in the 4-mg aerosol group, and 7.72 +/- 4.65 ng/mL in the nebulizer solution group. Subjects who used the nebulizer exhibited markedly higher plasma concentrations of disodium cromoglycate. There was a significant correlation between the concentration of disodium cromoglycate at 5 minutes and the protective effect determined by a ratio of the difference in the asthma score between baseline and treatment periods to the baseline asthma score.


CONCLUSIONS
When the plasma concentration of disodium cromoglycate is low, administration of larger aerosol dose or nebulization might be necessary.
Kato
Y
Y
Department of Pediatrics Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Minami-Ku, Japan. ykatoh@mcai.med.hiroshima-u.ac.jp
Muraki
K
K
Fujitaka
M
M
Sakura
N
N
Ueda
K
K
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000336:Aerosols; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers
D000336:Aerosols; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium