Effect of inhaled glycopyrrolate and atropine in asthma. Precipitated by exercise and cold air inhalation.

We compared the effects of inhaled glycopyrrolate (G), 1.3 mg, and atropine (A), 2.6 mg, and placebo on FEV1 and specific conductance (sGaw) before and after exercise in six men with exercise-induced asthma. Subjects exercised with cold air (-2 degrees C) 30 and 120 minutes after each aerosol treatment. Spirometry was performed and sGaw determined before aerosol treatment (baseline) and before and after exercise. Decreased airway tone was noted before exercising with A and G but not with placebo. The decreases in FEV1 and sGaw resulting from exercise were not significantly different among the three treatment groups at either exercise session. Postexercise FEV1 and sGaw were significantly higher after A and G compared to P. Dry mouth, flushing, and resting tachycardia were prominent with group A. Symptoms in G did not differ from those in P. This study suggests that A and G do not prevent bronchoconstriction induced by exercise and cold air but improve postexercise pulmonary function by achieving preexercise bronchodilation. Systemic side effects were minimal with G compared to A.