[Comparison of Tyloxapol (Tacholiquin, Alevaire) with physiological saline as inhalation carrier solutions]

By means of a double-blind crossover study the effects of tyloxapol (Tacholiquin, Alevaire) and saline as carrier solutions for the inhalation of beta-agonists have been compared in 24 paitents with bronchial asthma. Specific airway conductance was measured repeatedly over a 2-hour period in order to assess changes of airway caliber due to the inhalation. The results reveal a significant bronchoconstrictive effect of tyloxapol as compared with saline. The bronchodilator activity of solutions with tyloxapol and beta-agonists (orciprenaline, salbutamol) was no better than those with saline and the same beta-agonists. However, side effects (symptoms of airway irritation, increase of pulse rate) were more pronounced with tyloxapol. In view of the direct effects of inhalation with a beta-agonist, no advantage of the expensive carrier solution tyloxapol over saline could be shown.