Inhaled Steroids more effective than Cromolyn for treating Asthma
by admin ~ June 17th, 2009.
As per a study, adults and children with asthma can have more control over asthma with inhaled corticosteroids than with cromolyn.
This study was conducted by James Guevara, M.D., of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and colleagues to make comparisons between the two treatments (inhaled corticosteroids and cromolyn) to find the better of the two in a head-to-head comparison.
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.”
During the study, it was observed that adult asthma patients on an average had three fewer severe asthma flare-ups each year with inhaled corticosteroids (such as brand names Beclovent, Flovent, and Pulmicort) as against inhaled cromolyn (sold under the brand name Intal). These findings did not show any differences with children having asthma.
The study also found that asthma patients, both adults and young children, taking corticosteroids scored relatively higher on the tests of lung function along with making use of asthma inhalers than those depending upon cromolyn.
Category: Anabolic Steroids | Tags: Asthma, asthma inhalers, asthma treatment, beclovent, cromolyn, flovent, inhaled cromolyn, inhaled steroids, intal, pulmicort, steroids