The combined effect of nifedipine and sodium cromoglycate on the airway response to inhaled hypertonic saline in patients with bronchial asthma.

The combined effect of oral nifedipine and aerosolized sodium cromoglycate on the airway response to inhaled sodium chloride at increasing concentrations was randomly studied in 10 patients with bronchial asthma. Nifedipine (20 mg) protected the airways in 6 of the 10 patients, and sodium cromoglycate (20 mg) in all the 10 patients. Following both drugs, the airway response to hypertonic saline was further reduced when compared to each drug on its own. It is concluded that the combination of nifedipine with sodium cromoglycate might be of benefit in the treatment of difficult asthmatic patients.