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Ketotifen: current views on its mechanism of action and their therapeutic implications

L P Craps, U M Ney

    Respiration; International Review of Thoracic Diseases
    |January 1, 1984
    PubMed

    Insights

    Ketotifen prevents bronchial asthma by inhibiting mediator release and bronchoconstriction. It also improves beta-adrenoceptor sensitivity, reducing airway hyperreactivity in asthmatic patients.

    Area of Science:

    • Pharmacology
    • Respiratory Medicine
    • Immunology

    Background:

    • Bronchial asthma pathogenesis involves mediator release and airway hyperreactivity.
    • Understanding drug mechanisms is crucial for effective asthma management.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To elucidate the mechanism of action of ketotifen in preventing bronchial asthma.
    • To correlate ketotifen's biological effects with its therapeutic activity.

    Main Methods:

    • Discussion of ketotifen's biological effects relevant to asthma.
    • Analysis of its impact on mediator release, bronchoconstriction, and receptor sensitivity.

    Main Results:

    • Ketotifen inhibits the release of myotonic mediators, including leukotrienes.
    • It demonstrates inhibition of slow-reacting substance-induced bronchoconstriction.
    • Ketotifen possesses calcium antagonistic properties and prevents/reverses decreased beta-adrenoceptor sensitivity.

    Conclusions:

    • Ketotifen's properties lead to prevention of asthma-related bronchospasm.
    • It contributes to a progressive reduction in bronchial hyperreactivity in asthmatic patients.

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