Duration of effect of gallopamil, a calcium channel blocker, on methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction

We previously demonstrated a modest but significant protective effect of inhaled gallopamil (D600), the methoxy derivative of verapamil, against methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction; however, the duration of the protective effect of this and other calcium channel blockers is unknown. We therefore evaluated the duration of this protective effect in 15 asthmatic subjects in a prospective, placebo-controlled trial. Methacholine challenges (Cockcroft method) were performed 2 hours before and 30 minutes after the administration of placebo, and 1 mg and 10 mg of inhaled gallopamil. Gallopamil did not alter resting airway caliber, but significantly increased the concentration of methacholine required to decrease the FEV1 20% 30 minutes after the dose. Results with both the 10-mg and 1-mg doses were significantly different from placebo, but not from each other. The duration of this protective effect was transient in the group as a whole; the mean drug activity ratios were not significantly different with this sample 2.5 hours after the dose. Thus the short duration of effect limits the potential clinical usefulness of gallopamil in suppressing the signs and symptoms of chronic asthma.