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Adult and young asthmatic patients on inhaled steroids are in a better position than their counterparts on cromolyn. This finding was revealed in a study that was conducted by James Guevara, M.D., of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and colleagues.

The study made comparisons on both treatment options to judge the better between the two and concluded that inhaled corticosteroids are more effective than cromolyn for asthma management and treatment.

From News.Bio-Medicine.Org:

Cromolyn’s manufacturer has changed several times during the past two decades, which may also explain why the drug’s popularity has waned, Storms said. The succession of companies “did not spend one dollar in research in the past 20 years to study cromolyn. All of the data are old and most are forgotten,” he said.

The Cochrane reviewers examined 17 studies involving 1279 children and eight studies involving 321 adults with asthma. They found no differences in serious side effects between those using the steroids and those using cromolyn, but acknowledge that adverse effects were reported inconsistently.

Guevara and colleagues conclude that inhaled corticosteroids were superior to cromolyn regardless of the severity of the asthma. They suggest the results are so decisive that future studies comparing the two types of drugs “may not be warranted.”

It was suggested by this study that both adult and young asthmatic patients show fewer incidences of severe asthma flare-ups each year on an average with inhaled steroids (such as the brand names Pulmicort, Flovent, and Beclovent) as against patients on inhaled cromolyn, sold under the brand name Intal.

Patients on steroids also fared better in terms of lung function tests besides making less use of asthma inhalers.

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