A comparison of cromolyn and bronchodilators in patients with mild to moderately severe asthma in an office practice.

The efficacy and safety of two treatment regimens, based in the one case on cromolyn and in the other on bronchodilators, were compared in an eight week study in predominantly young, mild to moderate asthmatics in an office practice. We utilized subjective and objective measures of assessment. Cromolyn was as effective as the bronchodilator regimen except in terms of asthmatic cough, which was better controlled by cromolyn. An equal number of patients could not tolerate each regimen and were dropped from the study. Among those who continued and completed the study cromolyn was devoid of adverse effects whereas 62% of the patients maintained on theophylline with or without a concomitant beta-agonist reported side effects. The results of this preliminary study and of our subsequent broader clinical experience suggest that a re-evaluation of the current approach to managing the symptoms of chronic asthma is indicated, at least in pediatric patients.