[New aspects of long-term asthma therapy].

Asthma is a chronic disease requiring long-term treatment, principally on an ambulant basis. A regimen is described involving all the measures which are practicable in ambulant use--elimination of allergens, hyposensitization and multiple drug treatment with corticosteroids, ACTH, beta-adrenergic agents, anticholinergics, theophylline, sodium cromoglicate and the new compound, ketotifen--taking into account both the aetiology and pathogenesis of the disease and synergistic effects of the available medicines. The immediate aim is to give the patient sustained freedom from symptoms. Once this has been achieved, multiple drug treatment can gradually give way to a protective/prophylactic regimen. Two-and-a-half years of experience with the oral antianaphylactic histamine-release inhibitor, ketotifen, have convinced us that this new drug is very suitable both as part of a multiple-drug regimen designed to bring the condition under control, and as a prophylactic for subsequent protection against further attacks. An additional advantage of ketotifen is the very low incidence of adverse reactions. Brief reference is also made to the treatment of infections and to the role of psychotherapy, breathing exercises and sport in asthma therapy.