Comparison of Zaditen-Intal and combined prophylaxis in asthmatic children.

The authors selected 28 severe asthmatic children in order to compare the effect of different prophylactic regimens. Patients experiencing at least one wheezing attack per week were included in the study. In a randomized manner, they were allocated Zaditen or Intal. After 8 weeks of active treatment and a 2 week wash-out period, the 2 groups switched over the drugs. Finally non-responders in both groups were placed on a combination of Zaditen and Intal. 44% of all patients preferred Zaditen, 32% Intal and 20% got better only if both drugs were given together. The number and duration of wheezing periods decreased with Intal and Zaditen therapy equally but 44% of patients responded only to one or the other of these drugs. The best results were achieved with combination therapy and 50% of the patients became symptom-free in this manner.