Oxatomide in the treatment of various allergic diseases.

The use of oral oxatomide (30 to 360 mg per day) for the treatment of allergic conditions of the bronchi, skin and gastro-intestinal tract was investigated in a total of 70 subjects. Therapeutic results were evaluated at intervals ranging between 1 and 16 months. Symptomatic improvements were scored globally, forced expiratory volume in 1 second was measured in asthmatic patients, and the lesions of atopic dermatitis were rated according to a modified Clendening scale. The results suggest that oxatomide was particularly effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and skin allergies. Allergic asthma responded fairly well in patients with a short history of disease and gastro-intestinal conditions reacted moderately, with haemorrhagic rectitis responding better than gastritis. These findings warrant further controlled trials of oxatomide in such conditions.