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Nedocromil sodium for preventing exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.

BACKGROUND: Exercise-induced asthma causes cough, dyspnea, wheeze and chest tightness. Management of focuses on prevention through pharmaco-therapy and alternate strategies. Single use, pre-exercise beta2-agonists and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as the cromones are the most common treatments. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of a single dose of nedocromil sodium to prevent exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Airways Group trials register, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Current Contents, review articles, textbooks and reference lists of articles. We also contacted the drug manufacturer and primary authors for additional citations. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised trials comparing a single dose of nedocromil sodium with placebo to prevent exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in people over six years of age. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Trial quality assessment and data extraction were conducted independently by two reviewers. Study authors were contacted for confirmation of data. MAIN RESULTS: Twenty randomised controlled trials involving 280 participants were identified. 15-60 min following inhalation of 4 mg nedocromil, the maximum fall in forced expiratory volume in one second due to exercise was improved by 15.6%, (95% CI:13.2 to 18.1) compared to the placebo response. The maximum percentage fall in peak expiratory flow rate was of the same magnitude (weighted mean difference 15.0%; 95% CI 8.3 to 21.6). Nedocromil shortened the time to recover lung normal function from more than 30 minutes with placebo to less than 10 minutes with the drug. The relative magnitude of its effect was greatest in patients with more severe exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (defined as an exercise-induced fall in lung function > 30% from baseline). There were no significant adverse effects reported. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Nedocromil sodium used before exercise appears to reduce the severity and duration of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. This effect appears to be more pronounced in people with severe exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.

Adolescent↗

A 3-month evaluation of the efficacy of nedocromil sodium in asthma: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of nedocromil sodium conducted by a Canadian multicenter study group.

Nedocromil sodium is a pyranoquinoline dicarboxylic acid derivative, formulated in a metered-dose inhaler. Because nedocromil sodium has in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory properties, it was evaluated in a group of steroid-dependent patients with asthma to observe how well it might be tolerated and for evidence of any beneficial effects. In a double-blind, group-comparative study, 127 patients received nedocromil sodium and 61 received placebo, administered as two puffs of 2 mg, four times per day, for 12 weeks. Ten patients developed adverse reactions, seven receiving active drug and three patients receiving placebo. Two patients of each group withdrew because of worsening asthma. Despite selecting patients whose asthma was stable, when they were receiving established therapeutic regimens that included steroids and bronchodilators, it was found that diary-card symptom scores, morning and evening peak expiratory flow rate values, and inhaled beta-agonist usage all demonstrated slight but significant benefit with addition of nedocromil sodium. It is concluded that the inhaled, anti-inflammatory agent, nedocromil sodium, may be added to asthma-treatment regimens with the reasonable expectation of further modest symptomatic benefit.

Adult↗

Quality of life, symptoms and pulmonary function in asthma: long-term treatment with nedocromil sodium examined in a controlled multicentre trial. Nedocromil Sodium Quality of Life Study Group.

This study was designed to measure improvement in quality of life of patients with asthma, using a standardized disease-specific questionnaire, the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire, in a year long double-blind, placebo-controlled, group comparative study with nedocromil sodium. Two other questionnaires were used: the Sickness Impact Profile (a measure of general health) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Measurements were made at baseline and following 24 and 48 weeks of treatment. Response to therapy was also evaluated using daily diary card and peak flow measurements, clinic assessments and spirometry. Following a 4 week baseline, 719 adult asthmatics were randomized to treatment with 4 mg nedocromil sodium or placebo. Patients currently maintained on inhaled corticosteroids received treatments four times daily, those on bronchodilator alone received treatments twice daily. The Impacts component of the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire was significantly improved in patients receiving nedocromil sodium, as were night-time asthma, asthma severity at clinic, and daytime inhaled bronchodilator use. In patients receiving placebo, most of the traditional variables improved, and all three questionnaires recorded significant improvements in health. Patients and clinicians judged nedocromil sodium more effective than placebo. The improvement in St George's Questionnaire score in the nedocromil sodium treated patients was approximately double the change considered to be clinically significant. The study has shown that improvements in health with prophylactic therapy for asthma may be quantified by the use of a standardized disease-specific questionnaire.

Adolescent↗

Compliance with nedocromil sodium and a nedocromil sodium/salbutamol combination. Compliance Working Group.

Nonadherence to prescribed preventive medication is common in asthma. We wanted to assess whether the combination of a beta 2-bronchodilator with an anti-inflammatory treatment in the same metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with a regular dosing schedule might improve compliance. A double-blind study was used to compare use (two actuations four times daily for 12 weeks) of 2 mg nedocromil sodium (n = 101) with a combination of 2 mg nedocromil sodium and 100 micrograms salbutamol (n = 100) in mild-to-moderate asthma patients (mean age 42 +/- 14 yrs; 98 males and 103 females). Compliance was measured using the electronic Nebulizer Chronolog (NC) device, change in MDI canister weight, patient questionnaire and physician assessment. The mean +/- SD number of actuations per day for nedocromil sodium and the combination during the primary period of assessment (Weeks 11-12) was 4.2 +/- 2.6 and 4.6 +/- 2.5 (NC), 5.3 +/- 2.1 and 5.3 +/- 2.0 (canister weight), and 7.5 +/- 1.3 and 7.4 +/- 1.3 (questionnaire), respectively. Physician assessment rated compliance as "good" to "excellent". The first and final days of the period were not used in the NC analysis to exclude part-days of treatment and drug-dumping (repeated actuations without inhalation), and may account for the difference between NC and canister weight results. The mean number of two-actuation doses per day determined from the NC was 2.1 +/- 1.3 for nedocromil sodium and 2.4 +/- 2.1 for the combination. Thirty five percent (nedocromil sodium) and 34% (combination) of the patients were compliant (6-10 actuations per day for > or = 60% of the days). We conclude that compliance is poor in asthma, electronic recording revealed the dumping phenomenon and, in this study, the combination of an inhaled beta 2-bronchodilator with a preventive treatment did not improve compliance over a three month period in patients with mild-to-moderate asthma.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Physicochemical characterization of nedocromil bivalent metal salt hydrates. 3. Nedocromil calcium.

A crystalline pentahydrate and a crystalline 8/3 hydrate of nedocromil calcium (NC) were prepared. The relationships between these solid phases and the nature of the water interactions in their structures were studied through characterization by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Karl Fischer titrimetry (KFT), hot-stage microscopy (HSM), ambient- or variable-temperature powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) spectroscopy, water uptake at various relative humidities (RH), intrinsic dissolution rate (IDR) and solubility measurements. The solubility and intrinsic dissolution rate of the pentahydrate in water at 25 degrees C are approximately 17% greater than the corresponding values for the 8/3 hydrate, corresponding to a greater Gibbs free energy of only 380 J.mol-1 (91 cal.mol-1) for the pentahydrate. The results of DSC, TGA, and FTIR and SSNMR spectroscopy indicate that the water of hydration is more loosely bound in the pentahydrate than in the 8/3 hydrate. On increasing the temperature in open-pan DSC and TGA, the water in the pentahydrate is released in four steps (three steps in crimped pans), whereas the water in the 8/3 hydrate is released in three steps (three steps also in crimped pans). These three stepwise dehydrations are fundamentally explained by their different water environments in the crystal structure of the 8/3 hydrate, which was determined by single-crystal XRD [crystal data: triclinic, space group P1, a = 13.2381(3) A, b = 13.3650(2) A, c = 17.8224(2) A, alpha = 68.202(1) degrees, beta = 86.894(1) degrees, gamma = 82.969(1) degrees, Z = 6]. The asymmetric unit contains three nedocromil anions and three calcium cations associated with eight water molecules. The nedocromil anions act as polyfunctional ligands to the Ca2+ ions, coordinating through both the carbonyl oxygen and the carboxylate oxygen atoms. The molecular conformations of the three nedocromil anions in the asymmetric unit are almost identical. However, the crystal structure contains two different calcium environments, one of which has the Ca2+ ion hydrated by four water molecules in the equatorial plane and by two carbonyl oxygens in its axial coordination sites. In the second environment, the Ca2+ ion has four carboxylate oxygen atoms in its equatorial plane and two water molecules in its axial coordination sites. Two of the carboxylate ligands are twisted out of the tricyclic ring, and the other two carboxylate ligands are nearly coplanar with the tricyclic ring. All of the eight water molecules in the 8/3 hydrate are linked to calcium and carboxylate ions and none are linked to other water molecules.

Calcium↗

Physicochemical characterization of nedocromil bivalent metal salt hydrates. 1. Nedocromil magnesium.

Nedocromil sodium is used in the treatment of reversible obstructive airways diseases, such as asthma. The physicochemical, mechanical, and biological characteristics of nedocromil sodium can be altered by its conversion to other salt forms. In this study, three crystalline hydrates, the pentahydrate, heptahydrate, and decahydrate, of a bivalent metal salt, nedocromil magnesium (NM), were prepared. The relationships between these hydrates were studied through their characterization by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Karl Fischer titrimetry (KFT), hot stage microscopy (HSM), ambient or variable temperature powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water uptake at various relative humidities (RH), intrinsic dissolution rate (IDR), and solubility measurements. The pentahydrate showed two dehydration steps, corresponding to two binding states of water, a more temperature-sensitive tetramer and a more stable monomer, deduced from the crystal structure previously determined. The heptahydrate and decahydrate each showed a dehydration step with a minor change in slope at about 50 degrees C, which was analyzed by derivative TGA and confirmed by DSC. HSM and variable temperature PXRD also confirmed the thermal dehydration behavior of the NM hydrates. The decahydrate underwent an apparently irreversible phase transformation to the pentahydrate at 75 degrees C at an elevated water vapor pressure. The PXRD, FTIR, and SSNMR of the decahydrate were similar to those of the heptahydrate, suggesting that the three extra water molecules in the decahydrate are loosely bound, but were significantly different from those of the pentahydrate. The rank order of both IDR and solubility in water at 25 degrees C was heptahydrate approximately decahydrate > pentahydrate, corresponding to the rank order of free energy with respect to the aqueous solution.

Differential Thermal Analysis↗

Physicochemical characterization of nedocromil bivalent metal salt hydrates. 2. Nedocromil zinc.

Salts are usually considered as alternatives for drug delivery when the physicochemical characteristics of the acidic or basic parent drug are unsuitable or inadequate for a satisfactory formulation. The physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of nedocromil sodium, which is used in the treatment of reversible obstructive airways diseases such as asthma, can be altered by its conversion to other salt forms. Nedocromil zinc (NZ), a bivalent metal salt, was found to exist in several hydration states, an octahydrate, a heptahydrate, and a pentahydrate, which itself exists in two modifications, designated as A and B. The relationships between these, NZ hydrates and the nature of the water interactions in the solid phases were studied through characterization by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Karl Fischer titrimetry (KFT), hot-stage microscopy (HSM), ambient- or variable-temperature powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) spectroscopy, environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), water uptake at various relative humidities (RH), intrinsic dissolution rate (IDR), and solubility measurements. The integral water stoichiometries of the NZ hydrates were deduced from KFT and TGA and were confirmed by elemental analysis. For the heptahydrate, the loss of 1 mol of water at a higher temperature than for the others is attribute to an identifiable water molecule that is linked directly to the zinc and to two carboxylate oxygen atoms but not to the other water molecules, as deduced from the crystal structure previously determined. Similarly, for both pentahydrate modifications, 1 mol of water was also lost at a higher temperature than the others. Results from studies using DSC, TGA, HSM, PXRD, SSNMR, and FTIR suggested that the octahydrate contains loosely bound water in its structure and is partially amorphous. The course of the dehydration processes depended on the water vapor pressure and temperature. The octahydrate and heptahydrate underwent an apparently irreversible phase transformation to the pentahydrate at an elevated temperature and water vapor pressure. Pentahydrate modifications A and B differ in their long-range order (deduced from differences in their PXRD pattern and their thermal analytical behavior), but their short-range order (i.e., molecular environments) are identical (deduced by identical SSNMR spectra). The rank order of both IDR and solubility in water at 25 degrees C was octahydrate > heptahydrate > pentahydrate modification A approximately pentahydrate modification B, corresponding to the rank order of free energy with respect to the aqueous solution and the order of preparation according to Ostwald's rule of stages.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗

Mechanisms of inhibition of IgE synthesis by nedocromil sodium: nedocromil sodium inhibits deletional switch recombination in human B cells.

IgE synthesis requires IL-4 and a T cell-B cell interaction that involves the B-cell antigen CD40 and its ligand expressed on activated T cells. Nedocromil sodium (NS), an effective prophylactic agent in asthma, inhibits IgE synthesis by human B cells. In this report we examined the mechanisms of this inhibition. NS targeted the B cells because it inhibited IgE synthesis induced by anti-CD40 and IL-4 in highly purified B cells (greater than 98% CD19+). NS had no effect on the induction of epsilon-germline transcripts by IL-4 but strongly inhibited CD40-mediated S mu --> S epsilon deletional switch recombination. The effect of NS was not specific for CD40 because it inhibited IgE synthesis in B cells stimulated with hydrocortisone plus IL-4. Moreover, the effect of NS was not specific for IgE because it inhibited CD40/IL-4-driven IgG4 synthesis by B cells sorted for lack of surface expression of IgG4. NS caused only modest inhibition of spontaneous IgE synthesis by B cells from patients with hyper-IgE syndrome, suggesting that it has little effect on B cells that have already undergone isotype switching. These results strongly suggest that NS inhibits IgE isotype switching by inhibiting deletional switch recombination and that NS has a novel potential mechanism for the prevention of asthma and other allergic diseases.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Comparison of the clinical efficacy and comfort of olopatadine hydrochloride 0.1% ophthalmic solution and nedocromil sodium 2% ophthalmic solution in the human conjunctival allergen challenge model.

BACKGROUND: Mast cell stabilizers, such as the ocular antiallergic agent nedocromil sodium 2% ophthalmic solution, are not rapid acting and often require a loading period of > or =2 weeks for maximal efficacy. Olopatadine hydrochloride 0.1% ophthalmic solution is a member of a new class of topical antiallergic agents that have combined antihistaminic and mast cell-stabilizing properties. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy and comfort of olopatadine with those of nedocromil in the conjunctival allergen challenge model. METHODS: This was a single-center, 3-visit, randomized, double-masked, contralaterally controlled study. Seventy-five subjects with a history of allergic conjunctivitis were screened, and the 52 who responded to conjunctival allergen challenge at visits I and 2 were randomized by eye to receive olopatadine, nedocromil, or placebo (a "natural tears" lubricant eye drop). Because nedocromil may require a 2-week loading period for maximal efficacy, the eyes assigned to that agent received nedocromil for 14 days (between visits 2 and 3), whereas the eyes assigned to olopatadine or placebo received placebo during this period. Throughout the loading phase, subjects instilled 1 drop of the assigned masked medication in each eye twice daily. At the assessment visit (visit 3), subjects received I drop of masked olopatadine, nedocromil, or placebo in each eye and were asked to rate the comfort of each drop on a scale from 0 to 8. Fifteen minutes after instillation of medication, subjects were challenged with the allergen concentration that had elicited a positive conjunctival allergic response at the previous visits. Subjects then scored their itching on a scale from 0 to 4 at 3, 5, and 10 minutes after challenge. Mean itching scores for all eyes were compared by treatment. Paired t tests were performed on the mean itching and ocular comfort scores at each time point. At the end of the study, subjects were asked which treatment they preferred in terms of comfort and efficacy. RESULTS: Forty-nine subjects completed the study. Forty eyes received olopatadine, 36 received nedocromil, and 22 received placebo. Olopatadine was clinically and statistically superior to nedocromil at reducing itching in the conjunctival allergen challenge model (mean unit difference: -1.60 at 3 minutes, -1.68 at 5 minutes, -1.19 at 10 minutes; P < 0.001). One drop of olopatadine was more efficacious than 29 drops of nedocromil. Olopatadine-treated eyes were rated as being significantly more comfortable than nedocromil-treated eyes (0.73 vs 1.55; P = 0.034). Of the 14 subjects treated with olopatadine and nedocromil who stated a preference, 10 (71%) were more satisfied with olopatadine than with nedocromil. CONCLUSION: In the conjunctival allergen challenge model, olopatadine was more efficacious and comfortable than nedocromil in reducing the itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis.

Conjunctivitis, Allergic↗

Effect of nedocromil sodium on allergen-, PAF-, histamine- and bradykinin-induced airways vasodilatation and pulmonary obstruction in the pig.

1. The influence of nedocromil sodium on the nasal and bronchial effects induced by allergen, platelet-activating factor (PAF), capsaicin, histamine and bradykinin aerosol challenge in ascaris-sensitized and pentobarbitone-anaesthetized pigs was studied. Blood flow changes in the bronchial and nasal circulation were measured with ultrasonic flow probes around the supplying arteries, and vascular resistance was calculated. Changes in pulmonary resistance (Rpulm), dynamic compliance (Cdyn), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were also determined. 2. Allergen and PAF aerosol challenge in the lung produced similar effects consisting of both bronchial and nasal vasodilatation, bronchoconstriction (increase in Rpulm and decrease in Cdyn) and increases in MAP and HR. Local pretreatment with nedocromil sodium (80 mg, aerosol) reduced the peak and duration of both the bronchial vasodilatation and increase in Rpulm, while only the duration of the change in Cdyn was significantly decreased. Nedocromil sodium did not alter the increases in MAP and HR. The nasal vasodilatation evoked by PAF, but not allergen, challenge in the lung was reduced by nedocromil sodium. 3. Allergen challenge in the nose induced vasodilatation of long duration which was reduced by local nedocromil sodium pretreatment (50 micrograms kg-1, intra-arterially). 4. The vasodilator response to histamine aerosol was attenuated in the nasal, but not the bronchial circulation by local nedocromil sodium pretreatment. Histamine-induced bronchoconstriction was not altered by nedocromil sodium. 5. Bradykinin aerosol-induced vasodilatation in the nasal and bronchial circulation was markedly and equally reduced by local nedocromil sodium and systemic capsaicin (50 mg kg-1, s.c. 2 days before) pretreatment. 6. In conclusion, nedocromil sodium blocks some local vascular and bronchial effects, but not increases in MAP and HR, induced by allergen and PAF aerosol in the pig. Bradykinin-induced vasodilatation in the airways, which seems to be largely dependent on capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves, is markedly inhibited by nedocromil sodium pretreatment, whereas capsaicin-induced vasodilatation is not affected by nedocromil sodium. It may be suggested that nedocromil sodium acts by inhibiting some common process involved in the release of mediators from inflammatory cells (when stimulated by allergen and PAF) and sensory nerves (when stimulated by bradykinin and histamine, but not capsaicin).

Allergens↗

Nedocromil sodium is more effective than cromolyn sodium for the treatment of chronic reversible obstructive airway disease.

In a multicenter, double-blind, group comparative trial, the efficacy of nedocromil sodium (nedocromil, 4 mg, four times daily [qid]), cromolyn sodium (2 mg, qid), and placebo was compared in patients receiving inhaled beta 2-agonists and inhaled corticosteroids for the treatment of chronic reversible obstructive airway disease. After a 2-week baseline period, 132 patients (8 centers) between the ages of 20 and 75 years entered a 4-week run-in period in which the dose of inhaled corticosteroid was reduced by 50 percent. During the run-in phase, deterioration of symptoms (total symptom score) by ten points qualified patients to enter the 6-week drug trial period. Patients in the nedocromil treatment group showed the most robust and consistent improvements over placebo and cromolyn sodium for all daily dairy variables. Statistically significant improvements over placebo were noted for both active treatment groups for daytime, nighttime, and total symptom score. Symptom scores for nedocromil were statistically significantly improved over both cromolyn sodium and placebo for both daytime and nighttime asthma. Patients treated with nedocromil also demonstrated a significant reduction in the use of nighttime as needed (prn) beta 2-agonists as compared with either the placebo- or cromolyn sodium-treated groups. Only nedocromil-treated patients demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in morning peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) as compared with placebo. Both nedocromil and cromolyn sodium groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements in afternoon and evening PEFRs. Collectively, the improvements in nighttime symptoms, decreased bronchodilator use, and improved morning PEFR show that patients treated with nedocromil had improved nocturnal symptoms. Pulmonary function tests (FEV1, FVC, PEFR) demonstrated no statistically significant differences between the two active treatments, although trends favored nedocromil for both FEV1 and PEFR. Although symptoms improved in patients treated with cromolyn sodium, the level of symptom control was less than that achieved by nedocromil. As compared with baseline control (regular dose of inhaled steroids), patients treated with nedocromil plus the 50 percent reduced dosage of inhaled corticosteroid consistently demonstrated comparable or better symptom control. Although both active drugs reduced symptoms, nedocromil proved to be more effective than cromolyn sodium for treatment of reversible obstructive airway disease in patients normally well maintained on regimens of low to moderate doses of inhaled corticosteroids.

Adult↗

Neutrophils and mast cells: nedocromil sodium inhibits the generation of neutrophil-derived histamine-releasing activity (HRA-N).

The effect of nedocromil sodium on the generation of neutrophil-derived histamine-releasing activity (HRA-N) from human peripheral blood neutrophils and on the secretory effects of HRA-N and anti-IgE on rat basophil leukemia (RBL) cells was studied. Nedocromil sodium caused dose-related inhibition of HRA-N generation by human neutrophils (10(-7) to 10(-4) mol/L; inhibitory concentration of 50%, 1.5 x 10(-8) mol/L). In contrast, the presence of nedocromil sodium had no effect on HRA-N-mediated serotonin release from RBL cells. In five experiments, with one crude and four partially purified HRA-N preparations, serotonin release from RBL cells exposed to native HRA-N or HRA-N in the presence of nedocromil sodium (10(-4) mol/L) was 28% +/- 6% and 26% +/- 5%, respectively. Similar results were found with all concentrations of nedocromil sodium studied. Preincubation of RBL cells with nedocromil sodium (10(-4) mol/L) for 0 to 60 minutes also did not affect HRA-N-mediated serotonin release. Likewise, nedocromil sodium (10(-7) to 10(-4) mol/L) had no effect on anti-IgE-induced serotonin release from RBL cells. In 10 experiments, anti-IgE alone or in the presence of nedocromil sodium (10(-4) mol/L) induced 32% +/- 6% and 32% +/- 5% serotonin release, respectively. Preincubation of RBL cells with nedocromil sodium before anti-IgE exposure had no further effect. This is the first study of pharmacologic manipulation of the generation of a histamine-releasing factor. It is hypothesized that one possible mechanism whereby nedocromil sodium protects against asthma and allergic rhinitis is through inhibition of HRA-N generation.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

The effect of nedocromil sodium on childhood asthma during the viral season.

Viral-induced symptomatic respiratory infections (SRI) frequently cause exacerbations of asthma in children. This study investigated the protective effects of 0.5% nedocromil sodium nebulizer solution given three times a day in preventing asthma exacerbations associated with SRI. Ninety-three mild-moderate asthmatic children (6 to 12 yr of age) received either 0.5% nedocromil sodium or placebo for 24 wk during the viral season. The nedocromil sodium group was symptom-free 58% of the days, and the placebo-treated patients were symptom-free 45% of the days (p = 0.027). During Weeks 1-12, significant differences favored nedocromil sodium for asthma summary score (means: nedocromil sodium = 0.61, placebo = 0.92; p = 0.026), and daytime asthma (nedocromil sodium = 0.78, placebo = 1.22; p = 0.03). Significant differences were noted during monthly intervals for cough (Weeks 1-4: nedocromil sodium = 0.61, placebo = 0.92, p = 0.027) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) (nedocromil sodium 262, placebo = 254 L/min, p = 0.041 Weeks 9-12). Patients in the active treatment group reduced their need for rescue inhaled beta 2-agonist by 10%, whereas patients treated with placebo demonstrated a 24% increase. There was a strong correlation between asthma symptoms and SRI symptoms (r = 0.47; p < 0.001). During SRIs, patients in the nedocromil sodium group demonstrated more rapid resolution of asthma symptoms immediately following infection (p = 0.033 summary score, p = 0.039 sleep difficulty). No serious adverse events were noted. Nedocromil sodium did not prevent the infection or exacerbation of asthma symptoms during SRI.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anti-Asthmatic Agents↗

Clinical evaluation of nedocromil sodium in asthma.

The recognition that inflammatory events in the airways play a key role in the pathogenesis of asthma has led to a relentless search for pharmacological agents which modify these processes. Nedocromil sodium (Tilade) represents one such agent. Nedocromil sodium, when inhaled by patients with asthma (0.05-0.50% nebulized, 0.5-4.0 mg m.d.i.), has been shown to inhibit immediate bronchoconstriction provoked by challenges with allergen (10 studies), exercise (five studies), isocapnic hyperventilation, fog and sulphur dioxide (one study each) and adenosine (two studies). With these challenges, inhibition of bronchoconstriction exhibited dose-dependency up to 4 mg, with nedocromil sodium being up to four times more potent than sodium cromoglycate. When inhaled prior to allergen provocation, nedocromil sodium inhibited the late asthmatic reaction; when taken regularly during the pollen season, it attenuated the allergen-induced increase in non-specific bronchial responsiveness. The efficacy of nedocromil sodium (4 mg q.i.d.) in the treatment of clinical asthma was initially shown in four open studies and subsequently confirmed in nine double-blind, placebo-controlled 4-12 week studies on patients with seasonal and perennial asthma. Further clinical trials (eight studies) identified some difficulty in replacing inhaled corticosteroids with nedocromil sodium, especially if the corticosteroids were reduced rapidly (four studies). However, two studies have shown that nedocromil sodium produced further improvement in asthma symptoms when used in addition to bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids. Treatment with nedocromil sodium (4 mg q.i.d.) for up to 52 weeks demonstrated a progressive reduction in bronchodilator usage throughout the whole treatment period. During clinical assessment, nedocromil sodium was well tolerated, side-effects being unpleasant taste, nausea and headache. In most cases the adverse reactions were mild and transient, although in approximately 3% of patients they resulted in withdrawal from clinical trials. Thus, nedocromil sodium is a novel drug of proven efficacy in the treatment of asthma. Its position in the therapeutic armamentarium is likely to be as an adjunct to bronchodilators and inhaled steroids, to produce improvement in symptoms beyond that achieved with the already established drugs.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Effect of nedocromil sodium on non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic neural responses in guinea pig bronchi in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: Nedocromil sodium (nedocromil) improves the clinical condition of asthmatic subjects but its mechanism of action is not fully understood. This study aimed to determine whether nedocromil alters the ability of contractile and relaxant non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic neural (NANC) responses to stabilise tone by inhibiting or potentiating these responses in bronchial smooth muscle and, if so, whether the action is on a pre- or postjunctional level. RESULTS: Nedocromil attenuated contractile but not relaxant NANC responses (elicited by electric field stimulation) significantly (P < 0.05) in guinea pig main bronchi in vitro. However, the ability of NANC responses to stabilise tone (convergence effect) was not significantly impaired by nedocromil. Furthermore, nedocromil did not significantly shift the concentration response curve (-log EC50) to neurokinin A (NKA), the dominating contractile NANC transmitter, or alter the maximum response to NKA (P > 0.05). Submaximum or maximum contractile responses to histamine were not markedly affected by nedocromil (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Nedocromil exerts selective neural inhibition of the contractile but not of the relaxant NANC responses on a pre-junctional level in bronchial smooth muscle. Nedocromil does not, however, markedly impair the ability of NANC response to stabilise bronchial smooth muscle tone.

Animals↗

Dose-response study of nebulised nedocromil sodium in exercise induced asthma.

Ten patients with exercise induced asthma, in whom inhaled nedocromil sodium 4 mg by metered dose inhaler attenuated the exercise fall in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) by at least 40%, participated in a double blind dose response study to compare the protective effect of nedocromil sodium given 15 minutes before exercise challenge via a nebuliser (Wright) in concentrations of 0.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg/ml with that of placebo (saline). Response was assessed as the maximum fall in FEV1 after the patient had run on a treadmill for six to eight minutes. Plasma concentrations of nedocromil sodium were measured at the time of challenge. After exercise challenge the mean (SEM) maximum percentage falls in FEV1 were 30.3 (1.6) for the control run and 28.0 (4.1) after placebo. The percentage fall was attenuated by pretreatment with all concentrations of nedocromil sodium to 12.8 (2.8), 11.2 (2.1), 12.8 (2.1), and 14.1 (3.5) for the 0.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg/ml concentrations respectively (p less than 0.001). There were no significant differences between the different nedocromil concentrations. Mean plasma concentrations of nedocromil were proportional to dose. Thus concentrations of nebulised nedocromil sodium that ranged from 0.5 to 20 mg/ml gave a similar degree of protection (50-60%) against exercise induced asthma. This appears to be the maximum protection that can be achieved with nedocromil sodium and is similar to the protection obtained with 4 mg nedocromil administered by metered dose aerosol.

Adolescent↗

Nedocromil sodium inhibits responsiveness to inhaled mannitol in asthmatic subjects.

Nedocromil sodium inhibits the response to exercise-induced asthma (EIA). Mannitol given as a powder by inhalation is an osmotic stimulus that identifies EIA. We studied the acute effect of nedocromil on airway responsiveness to mannitol in 24 asthmatic subjects. After a control day, nedocromil (8 mg) or its placebo was administered randomized, double blind, 10 min before a challenge with progressively increasing doses of mannitol. Nedocromil inhibited the response to mannitol and there was a significant increase in the dose of mannitol required to cause a 15% reduction in FEV(1) (PD(15)) after nedocromil 409 (316,503) mg compared with placebo 156 (106,229) mg (p < 0.001). In the presence of nedocromil 12 subjects no longer recorded a 15% decrease in FEV(1) in response to mannitol. The remaining 12 required a significantly greater dose of mannitol to achieve a 15% decrease in FEV(1) after nedocromil. Following nedocromil, a plateau in responsiveness to mannitol was observed in 14 subjects. Nedocromil significantly inhibits the responsiveness to inhaled mannitol in asthmatic subjects.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Efficacy and acceptability of nedocromil sodium 2% and olopatadine hydrochloride 0.1% in perennial allergic conjunctivitis.

In this 2-week, randomized, crossover study, ophthalmic solutions of nedocromil sodium 2% and olopatadine hydrochloride 0.1% were compared for effectiveness and acceptability in 28 patients with perennial allergic conjunctivitis and previous olopatadine experience. Patients received nedocromil twice daily or olopatadine twice daily for 1 week, then were crossed over to the alternate medication for 1 week. Outcome measures were patient satisfaction (questionnaire), severity of ocular symptoms (daily diary scores), clinical signs (physician assessments), quality of life (questionnaire), and global assessments of effectiveness. Both medications were well accepted. Of the 28 patients, 16 (57.1%) would request a nedocromil prescription, 10 (35.7%) an olopatadine prescription (P = .157); 22 patients (78.6%) would recommend nedocromil to other allergy sufferers, while 18 (64.3%) would recommend olopatadine (P = .480). Light sensitivity scores were significantly lower with nedocromil (P = .0125); other symptom scores were comparable between medications. Both drugs significantly (P < .01) and comparably decreased erythema, conjunctival injection, and overall conjunctival signs from baseline. Comparable improvement also occurred in quality-of-life scores. Both physicians and patients judged nedocromil and olopatadine to be similarly effective in preventing signs and symptoms. Nedocromil sodium 2% is an effective treatment for perennial allergic conjunctivitis. Patients receiving olopatadine can be switched to nedocromil with no loss in efficacy or satisfaction, but with a reduction in cost.

Adolescent↗