Effects of almitrine bismesylate 100 mg daily for four weeks on respiratory regulation in patients with chronic bronchitis.

The effects on respiratory regulation of giving almitrine bismesylate (100 mg daily) orally for four weeks in twelve patients with chronic airflow obstruction were assessed in a double-blind placebo-controlled study. The drug caused significant increases in ventilation and the ventilatory response to hypoxia, associated with partial relief of arterial hypoxaemia and a fall in arterial CO2 tension. No consistent changes occurred with placebo. The results are in accord with a sustained action of almitrine bismesylates sensitising peripheral chemoreception.