Evaluation of theophylline or pranlukast, a cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 antagonist, as add-on therapy in uncontrolled asthmatic patients with a medium dose of inhaled corticosteroids.
A few studies compared the additional effects of oral controller medicines on pulmonary function in asthmatic patients on a moderate dose of inhaled steroids. The aim of this study was to compare the additional effects of two oral asthma controllers, a leukotriene receptor antagonist and a sustained released theophylline (Theo), with a moderate dose of inhaled steroid on peak expiratory flow (PEF) and asthma-related symptoms. A total of 67 adult asthmatic patients with PEF < 80% predicted during a 2-week run-in period with 800 microg/day of beclomethasone dipropionate were randomized to receive either pranlukast, 450 mg/day (n = 33), or sustained released Theo, 200 mg/day (n = 34), for 4 weeks. Pranlukast and Theo did not significantly alter the symptom scores, use of rescue beta2-agonist, and daily PEF variability. However, both agents significantly increased both morning and evening PEF compared with the run-in periods. The effects of both medications were comparable. For asthmatic patients even on a moderate dose of inhaled steroids, the addition of either leukotriene receptor antagonist or sustained released Theo does not improve asthma-related symptoms but significantly and equally increases PEF.
Tsuchida
Tomoko
T
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan.
Matsuse
Hiroto
H
Machida
Ikuko
I
Kondo
Yuki
Y
Saeki
Sachiko
S
Tomari
Shinya
S
Obase
Yasushi
Y
Matsuo
Nobuko
N
Shimoda
Terufumi
T
Kohno
Shigeru
S
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002867:Chromones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D002867:Chromones; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D013806:Theophylline; D001507:Beclomethasone; C047681:pranlukast