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A comparison between the efficacy of ketotifen and clemastine in children
Insights
Ketotifen demonstrated superior prophylactic effects compared to clemastine in treating childhood bronchial asthma over 12 weeks. Both medications were well-tolerated, but ketotifen showed significant long-term benefits for asthma symptom control.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Bronchial asthma is a chronic respiratory condition affecting children worldwide.
- Prophylactic medications are crucial for managing asthma symptoms and preventing exacerbations.
- Ketotifen and clemastine are antihistamines with potential anti-asthmatic properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the prophylactic anti-asthmatic efficacy of ketotifen versus clemastine in children.
- To evaluate the impact of these drugs on clinical asthma parameters over a 12-week period.
Main Methods:
- A controlled, single-blind study involving 57 children with bronchial asthma.
- Administration of ketotifen and clemastine in syrup form (1-2 mg/day) based on body weight.
- Assessment of clinical parameters including asthmatic complaints, dyspnea, and duration of attacks.
Main Results:
- Both ketotifen and clemastine initially improved asthma symptoms.
- Ketotifen showed a further marked benefit by the 8th and 12th weeks, demonstrating significant superiority over clemastine.
- Ketotifen was rated as very effective or effective in 29% of cases.
- Both drugs were well-tolerated by the pediatric participants.
Conclusions:
- Ketotifen is a significantly more effective prophylactic anti-asthmatic agent than clemastine in children with bronchial asthma.
- Long-term treatment with ketotifen offers sustained symptom control and improved outcomes.
- Further research may explore optimal dosing and long-term safety profiles.
Abstract:
In a controlled single-blind study of 12 weeks' duration the prophylactic anti-asthmatic effects of ketotifen and clemastine in children with bronchial asthma were compared. The drugs were administered in syrup form in doses from 1 to 2 mg per day according to the body-weight. Fifty-seven children, twenty-nine in the ketotifen group and twenty-eight in the clemastine group took part. The clinical parameters, namely asthmatic complaints, dyspnoea and total duration of asthmatic attacks initially improved with both drugs but only with ketotifen was there a further marked benefit leading to a significant superiority of this drug over clemastine in the 8th and 12th week of treatment. In the overall assessment ketotifen was considered to be very effective and effective in 29%. Both drugs were well tolerated.