Abstract
To determine the efficacy of nedocromil sodium in adult asthma patients using bronchodilators alone to control their disease, a consecutive sample of 127 patients with long-term asthma was studied for 16 weeks. The patients were maintained on sustained release theophylline preparations (SRT) and inhaled and oral beta-adrenergic bronchodilators (β2). One hundred sixteen patients (90 percent) completed the study; one placebo-treated patient withdrew owing to throat irritation and wheezing. Nedocromil sodium provided an additional benefit to adult patients receiving SRT and inhaled β2-agonists. With the exception of night-time asthma, nedocromil sodium maintained this improvement for the final 12 weeks of the study despite a reduction in concomitant bronchodilator therapy.