[Effect of maprotiline on bronchodilation in patients with bronchospasm]

The bronchodilatory effect of maprotiline (Ludiomil, firm Ciba-Geigy) was investigated in 20 patients with bronchospasm (FEV %below 60%). The effect of a single dose of 75 mg maprotiline was compared with that produced by 500 mg of aminophylline, applied each time in 500 ml normal saline during 90 min, on two different days, in randomized sequence, always at the same day time. Prior to and at 5, 10, 20, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 minutes after commencement of the infusion the following parameters of pulmonary ventilation have been determined: VC, FEV1, FEV1%., MEFR and MBC. The stated differences between the efficacy of maprotiline and aminophylline were statistically not significant (p > 0.05). In 18 patients maprotiline caused sedation and even somnolence. The authors conclude that maprotiline is an efficacious bronchodilator in patients with bronchospasm and is well tolerated by the patients.