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Chloroquine as a steroid sparing agent for asthma
1Portsmouth Institute of Medicine, Health & Social Care, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|October 30, 2003
Summary
Chloroquine is not proven to reduce oral steroid use in severe asthma. More research is needed to confirm if chloroquine can be an effective steroid-sparing treatment for chronic asthma patients.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Chronic asthma often requires high-dose oral corticosteroids (steroids) when inhaled steroids are insufficient.
- Long-term oral steroid use is linked to severe adverse effects.
- Chloroquine, an anti-inflammatory drug, is explored as a potential steroid-sparing agent for severe asthma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of adding chloroquine to oral corticosteroid therapy in patients with chronic asthma.
- To determine if chloroquine can help minimize or eliminate the need for oral steroids.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review was conducted by searching the Cochrane Airways Group asthma and wheeze trials register.
- Inclusion criteria required randomized placebo-controlled trials.
- Data extraction and analysis were performed by two independent reviewers.
Main Results:
- Only one small study met the inclusion criteria for the review.
- The included study reported no significant findings regarding chloroquine's efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence is insufficient to support chloroquine as a steroid-sparing agent for chronic asthma.
- Further clinical trials are recommended to optimize oral steroid dosage before considering adjunctive therapies like chloroquine.