Comparison of sodium cromoglycate pressurized aerosol and powder in the treatment of asthma.

The effect of a pressurized aerosol formulation of sodium cromoglycate divided in doses of 8 mg a day was compared with that of a standard sodium cromoglycate powder (80 mg a day) in a double blind crossover trial lasting 16 weeks. No significant differences between the two formulations were detected in terms of patients' asthma severity and lung function, recorded monthly at the clinic and daily by the patients. The pressurized aerosol in a much smaller dose appears to be as effective a method as standard cromoglycate, and an alternative method of inhaling sodium cromoglycate for patients who prefer an aerosol to a dry powder formulation.