Nedocromil sodium is a
sodium cromoglycate-like
drug which inhibits activation and mediator release from inflammatory cells such as eosinophils, neutrophils, macrophages, monocytes, mast cells and platelets. Non-comparative and placebo-controlled therapeutic studies in adult patients of up to 52 weeks duration have demonstrated the tolerability and efficacy of
nedocromil 4 mg twice or 4 times daily in the management of reversible obstructive airways disease producing significant improvements in
asthma symptom scores and pulmonary function tests. When added to existing
therapy,
nedocromil sodium permits reductions of 20 to 70% in concomitant
bronchodilator use and appears to have a moderate
steroid sparing effect in patients receiving inhaled
corticosteroids. To date no controlled studies have been published comparing
nedocromil sodium with
sodium cromoglycate and other established
therapies in adult reversible obstructive airways disease or
asthma, which limits the overall conclusions which can be drawn about the position of
nedocromil sodium relative to other treatments. However, preliminary clinical data suggest that although
nedocromil sodium cannot substitute completely for
bronchodilators or inhaled
corticosteroids, with its additive and dose-sparing effects and the convenience of a twice daily dosage it is a promising prophylactic adjunctive agent for the management of reversible obstructive airways disease.