Use of calcium channel blocking agents in the management of childhood asthma.

The function of the cells involved in the genesis of bronchial asthma is calcium dependent. The "Ca2+ hypothesis of asthma" suggests that calcium channel blocking agents may have a beneficial effect in asthma. The clinical trials with the available classic calcium antagonists in childhood asthma are very few and their clinical application remains to be determined. Sodium cromoglycate and ketotifen, which have been in clinical use for many years, can be considered as calcium channel blockers and seem to have a significant role in the prophylaxis of bronchial asthma.