Picumast dihydrochloride (Auteral), a new anti-allergic inhibitor of mediator release and action.

Picumast dihydrochloride (PDH), (3,4-dimethyl-7-[4-chlorobenzyl) piperazine-1-yl]propoxycoumarin dihydrochloride) is a prophylactically active anti-allergic compound which combines inhibition of mediator release and action. The activity profile of PDH differs clearly from that of known prophylactic anti-allergic drugs such as DSCG and ketotifen. Other inhibitory actions of PDH in addition to its H1-antagonism (and that of its metabolites M2 and M1) may be the cause of the suppression of immediate and late phase allergic reactions in animals as well as allergic rhinitis and bronchial responsiveness and symptom scores in asthmatic patients.