Pulmonary function parameters in asthma patients receiving oral ketotifen

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Pulmonology
• Allergy and Immunology

Background:

• Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by airflow limitation and inflammation.
• Ketotifen is an antianaphylactic and antihistamine agent with potential therapeutic benefits in asthma management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of oral ketotifen in patients with bronchial asthma.
• To assess the impact of ketotifen on asthma attack frequency, severity, and lung function.

Main Methods:

• Oral ketotifen (1 mg twice daily) was administered to 31 asthma patients for 16 weeks.
• Patients included those with extrinsic and intrinsic asthma and significant airflow limitation.
• Concomitant medication, attack frequency/severity, and lung function tests (FVC, FEV1, FEV1%FVC, PEF) were analyzed.

Main Results:

• A significant reduction in asthma attacks from 7.1/week to 0.28/week (P < 0.001).
• Decreased severity of attacks and reduced need for bronchodilators.
• Significant improvements in FEV1 (33.45 ml/week), FEV1%FVC (0.76%/week), and PEF (5.52 l/min/week) (P < 0.01).

Conclusions:

• Ketotifen is effective in the prophylaxis of both extrinsic and intrinsic asthma.
• Observed relief in asthma patients correlates with improved lung function parameters.
• Ketotifen demonstrates significant benefits in reducing asthma exacerbations and enhancing respiratory function.