Comparison between bronchial response to inhaled hypoosmolar and isoosmolar solutions of sodium cromoglycate after exercise challenge.

The effectiveness of a sodium cromoglycate isoosmolar solution (288 mOsmol/L) versus hypoosmolar commercial solution (40 mOsmol/L) was studied in 14 asthmatic children with exercise-induced asthma. The mean FEV1 after exercise in patients pretreated with a sodium cromoglycate hypotonic solution compared with FEV1 at rest was -2% +/- 10%. The mean FEV1 after exercise in patients pretreated with an isotonic solution compared with FEV1 at rest was 3% +/- 6%. This statistically significant difference (P less than .01) proves that the effectiveness of sodium cromoglycate can be improved by raising the osmolarity to isotonic levels.