Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness Changes After 5 Months of Regular Procaterol Inhalation Therapy in Asthmatic Children

Abstract

It is well known that procaterol has more potent antiallergic properties than previous β-stimulants. Thirteen children with asthma who could be controlled for 2 months with a regular procaterol aerosol given 4 times/day (10 μg/dose) were studied. Histamine challenges were performed before and an average of 5 months after the consecutive treatment. No significant differences were seen in peak expiratory flow values. PC²⁰ increased significantly from 132.9 ± 127.7 μg/ml to 762.4 ± 1205.7 μg/ml after 5 months. These results suggest that asthmatic children who can be controlled with regular use of the β-stimulant procaterol are likely to have a decreased bronchial hyperresponsiveness.