Evaluation of the combined effect of pranlukast during high-dose steroid inhalation

In 40 patients with moderate to severe persistent adult asthma who had been requiring more than 1200 μg/day of beclomethasone dipropionate (CAS 5534-09-8, BDP) inhalation, the present study evaluated the combined effects of pranlukast (CAS 103177-37-3, Onon®) during high-dose steroid inhalation (20 in the pranlukast group and 20 in the control group). In the pranlukast group, 450 mg/day of pranlukast was administered. The course of these patients was monitored for 6 weeks during which the dose of BDP was decreased to 1/2 of the initial dose 2 weeks later and to 1/4 of the initial dose additional 4 weeks later. The dose of BDP was also decreased in the control group. The concomitant use of pranlukast significantly improved asthmatic symptoms and respiratory functions in asthmatic patients receiving high-dose steroid inhalation. Furthermore, the concomitant use of pranlukast significantly inhibited worsening of asthmatic symptoms, respiratory functions and parameters, which are frequently observed when the dose of inhalation steroids is decreased.