Cinnarizine in the treatment of chronic asthma.

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Abstract
1 Cinnarizine, an inhibitor of calcium ion transport across smooth muscle cell membrane, has been shown to exert an anti‐asthmatic effect in patients with chronic asthma. 2 It is postulated that antagonism to calcium ion transport across the mast cell membrane may cause the compound to have a pharmacological effect similar to sodium cromoglycate. 3 Cinnarizine is orally active and its therapeutic effect is demonstrated in a double‐blind, cross‐over, placebo controlled study. 4 Patient benefit was shown by a significant improvement in peak flow rate. A non‐significant trend towards a reduction in symptomatic bronchodilator usage and a decrease in asthma symptom score was also shown. 5 It is concluded that cinnarizine could well prove to be the first of a new family of anti‐asthmatic drugs offering a protective effect when taken systemically.