SCH 1000 in psychogenic asthma

The effects of a beta 2-sympathomimetic (salbutamol or fenoterol) and the anticholinergic SCH 1000 administered both in combination and with placebo were compared in a double-blind random crossover design. Thirty-three patients with atopic, non-atopic and psychogenic asthma were studied. After inhalation of the sympathomimetic in combination with SCH 1000 or placebo the increase in FEV1 was significantly better for three hours (p less than 0.05) than after inhalation of SCH 1000 alone. There was no difference in the response to SCH 1000 in the atopic or non-atopic groups. However, in patients with a major psychogenic component to their asthma the FEV1 response to SCH 1000 was significantly better (p less than 0.05) than in other asthmatics from four to seven hours past inhalation. These findings suggest that SCH 1000 might be a valuable therapeutic agent in patients with psychogenic asthma.