Pranlukast Inhibits Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm in Asthmatic Children: A Randomized, Multicenter, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Two-Period Crossover Trial

The purpose of this study was to determine whether pranlukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, attenuates exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) in children with asthma. The study was designed as a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled two-period crossover trial. The subjects were 17 stable asthmatic children aged 7–14 years old (mean, 11.0 years) with a history of typical symptoms of EIB. They received dry syrup of pranlukast or placebo both after supper on the first day and after breakfast on the second day of the study in each period. All exercise challenges were performed on a bicycle ergometer and spirometry measurements of pulmonary function (FVC, FEV1.0, PEF, MMF,50 and 25) were collected pre-and post-exercise. Compared with placebo, pranlukast significantly inhibited the reduction of pulmonary function after exercise. Consequently, this study demonstrated that pranlukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, is a useful drug in childhood asthma management. (Pediatr Asthma Allergy Immunol 2005;18[1]:5–11.)