A trial of tiaramide in asthma

Tiaramide hydrochloride is a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent previously shown to inhibit allergic responses both in vitro and in vivo. Clinical studies in asthmatic adults and children have also shown benefit. We report a double blind cross-over study in 35 adult asthmatic patients comparing oral tiaramide 200 mg four times daily with oral salbutamol 4 mg four times daily and placebo. Symptoms and bronchodilator inhaler usage were recorded in diary cards and morning and evening peak expiratory flow rates were also monitored. Both tiaramide and salbutamol had a significant therapeutic effect compared with placebo. More patients preferred tiaramide than salbutamol and there were fewer side effects during treatment with tiaramide. Tiaramide may be a useful oral therapy in asthma particularly for those patients intolerant of oral beta-adrenergic agonists.