The inhibitory effect of azelastine and ketotifen on histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatic patients.

We studied the antihistaminic property of a new compound, azelastine, on histamine-induced bronchoconstriction and compared it with ketotifen and placebo. In 12 patients with bronchial asthma we performed histamine bronchial challenges before and four hours after ingestion of placebo, 2.0 mg ketotifen, and 4.4 mg azelastine given in a double-blind, randomized, cross-over fashion. Ketotifen and azelastine provided significant protection compared with placebo. No statistically significant difference between ketotifen and azelastine could be detected. As the antihistaminic effect of azelastine does not predict the therapeutic usefulness in the maintenance therapy of bronchial asthma, further studies are indicated.