Current asthma medicines include inhalers. A common inhaler used in asthma is called a beta-agonist (for example salbutamol). They improve asthma symptoms by stimulating areas in the human airway resulting in widening of the human airway. Although these drugs are useful after the first dose, longterm use can cause worsening asthma symptoms. Beta-blockers are the complete opposite type of medication. Just now they are avoided in patients with asthma as after the first dose they can cause airway narrowing and cause an asthma attack. New research has suggested that long term use of beta-blockers can reduce airway inflammation which can improve asthma control and improve symptoms. This research was done in asthmatic patients who didn't need inhaled steroids to control their asthma. What the investigators want to do is see if the same benefit of beta-blocker use is asthma can be seen in people who take inhaled steroids.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
18
10mg twice daily escalated to 80mg once daily
Matched placebo
Asthma and Allergy Research Group, Unviersity of Dundee
Dundee, United Kingdom
To establish effects of chronic dosing with 'beta-blockers' on airway tone and hyperreactivity in mild asthmatics.
Time frame: 6 weeks
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