Cromolyn Sodium in the Treatment of Children With Severe, Perennial Asthma

Cromolyn sodium is a recently introduced drug used in the prophylactic treatment of severe, perennial, bronchial asthma, particularly in the pediatric age group. In a multicenter trial, 276 chronic asthmatic patients of eight pediatric allergists entered a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study lasting 12 weeks. Test compounds of cromolyn sodium or placebo were inhaled four times a day, and daily scores were kept of symptom severity as well as frequency of use of other medications. Patients had statistically significant lower average daily symptom scores when treated with cromolyn sodium as compared to treatment with placebo. A strong subjective preference for cromolyn sodium was expressed by 60% of those completing the trial, versus 9% for placebo. The patients' need for other symptomatic medications also dropped significantly during the cromolyn treatment period.