Re: E-DRUG: Asthma medication - Ketotifen

[joel.lexchin@utoronto.ca (Joel Lexchin)]

E-DRUG: Asthma medication - Ketotifen (2)
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Ketotifen is approved in Canada for asthma.  I would regard it as
definitely a second-line drug for children who cannot tolerate/use 
inhaled steroids.

Joel Lexchin MD
121 Walmer Rd.
Toronto, Ontario
CANADA M5R 2X8
Phone:  (416)-964-7186
Fax:  (416)-923-9515
e mail:  joel.lexchin@utoronto.ca

E-DRUG: Ketotifen in asthma (3)
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Ketotifen is only effective in obviously allergic forms of asthma, eg 
aspirin-induced bronchospasm, and then its action is no different 
from that of any "ordinary" antihistaminic like clemastine. For 
references see Dollery Vol.II-K28.

Anyhow, antihistamines have no longer a role of any importance in the 
modern treatment of asthma. I would like to refer to the official 
American DHHS guidelines (Expert Panel Report of the National Asthma 
Education Program - US Dept. of Health & Human Services, Publ. 
91-3042A, 1991).

Leo Offerhaus MD PhD
Koedijklaan 1a 1406 KW Bussum The Netherlands
Tel 0031-35-6923288 Fax 0031-35-6923290
E-mail LO@EURONET.NL, CompuServe 71530,15

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