Background: Inhaled furosemide has been shown, in patients with asthma, to have prophylactic properties similar to those of disodium cromoglycate.
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of these drugs in the treatment of exercise-induced asthma.
Methods: Fifteen children with exercise-induced asthma (mean age, 10.8 years) underwent exercise challenge after a single dose of nebulized placebo, furosemide (20 mg/m7 body area), or disodium cromoglycate (20 mg), 2 days apart, in a single-blind crossover trial.
Results: Both furosemide and disodium cromoglycate exerted significant protection against the bronchial response to exercise challenge, with a mean maximum percentage falls in FEV1 of 4.66% and 7.22%, respectively (p < 0.05). On the placebo day, the mean maximum percentage fall in FEV1 was 34.50% (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that furosemide and disodium cromoglycate provide comparable efficacy in preventing exercise-induced asthma in children, with no side effects.