Terfenadine and prevention of exercise-induced asthma

Abstract

Summary The use of terfenadine in the prevention of exercise-induced asthma has already been reported in the literature. This drug was administered to 8 children at doses of 2 mg/kg and to 6 children at a total standardized dose of 120 mg. Three hours following a free run, the results were compared with those obtained with the use of a placebo. There was no significant variation in the fall of FEV1 after administration of placebo (↓ 38 %, ↓ 34 %) and administration of Terfenadine (↓ 32.2 %, ↓ 32 %). However, three children from both groups, were totally protected with the antihistamine preparation. The FEV1 dropped to 41 % after placebo as compared to 10.3 % after terfenadine. The authors emphasize that this evaluation should be extended to larger groups, before confirming the validity of terfenadine in the prevention of EIA.