Clinical effect of Alesion (epinastine HCl) on mild to moderate persistent bronchial asthma

Park, Jung Won; Kim, Cheol Woo; Hong, Chein Soo

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Alesion, which is known as one of the second generation anti-histamine agents, has diverse anti-allergic effects. Some investigators have reported the clinical effects of Alesion as acting like an addictive agents to inhaled steroid in mild to moderate persistent bronchial asthma.
METHODS
We evaluated the additive effects of daily administration of 20 mg of Alesion (epinastine HCl) in 30 mild to moderate persistent bronchial asthma patients. We estimated the clinical effects of Alesion with symptom scores, morning PEFR without bronchodilator, sputum eosinophil counts of induced sputum, spirometer parameters and frequency of short acting 2 agonist inhalation.
RESULTS
With administration of Alesion for 4 weeks, the score of dyspnea, cough, nocturnal symptoms and limitation of daily activity were significantly improved. The mean value of morning PEFR without bronchodilator was also significantly improved by administration of Alesion. These improvements appeared after 1 week of administration. But, the frequencies of short acting 2 agonist inhalation, FEV1, FVC, peripheral blood eosinophil count, eosinophil percentage of induced sputum were not changed by the Alesion. About 64% of the enrolled patients expressed the clinical effects of Alesion. The patients complained of headache (1 case), drowsiness or sleepiness (3 cases), and weight gain (1 case) as adverse effects of Alesion.
CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that Alesion can be effective as an the additive agent in mild to moderate persistent degree of bronchial asthma.