Isotonic nebulized disodium cromoglycate provides better protection against methacholine- and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.

In 21 asthmatic subjects we determined whether inhalation of an isotonic solution of disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) would result in better protection against bronchial provocation with methacholine or exercise than the standard hypotonic solution of DSCG. Pretreatment with isotonic DSCG resulted in significantly greater reduction in exercise-induced bronchospasm (10 patients) than with hypotonic DSCG. In addition, the dose of methacholine required to induce a decrease greater than 20% in FEV1 was significantly higher following pretreatment with isotonic DSCG compared with placebo or hypotonic solution of the drug (11 patients). We conclude that nebulized isotonic DSCG provides better protection against exercise- and methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction than does the standard solution. Our findings suggest that the use of an isotonic solution of DSCG would be beneficial in the management of asthmatic patients.