Plasma concentrations of disodium cromoglycate after various inhalation methods in healthy subjects

Abstract

Aims. To compare the plasma concentrations of disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) following various inhalation procedures in healthy volunteers. Methods. Nine healthy subjects inhaled 2 mg of aerosol, 20 mg of nebuliser solution only, 20 mg of nebuliser solution mixed with isotonic saline, or 20 mg of nebuliser solution mixed with saline and procaterol, a β2-adenoceptor agonist, on separate occasions 2-3 weeks apart. Plasma concentrations of DSCG were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (h.p.l.c.). Results. The peak plasma concentrations of DSCG were 1.5 ± 0.7 (range 0.4-2.4) ng ml-1 in the aerosol group, 8.8 ± 6.2 (range 5.3-19.9) ng ml-1 in the nebuliser solution only group, 17.2 ± 16.3 (range 5.0-38.6) ng ml-1 in the nebuliser solution plus isotonic saline group, and 24.5 ± 11.9 (range 10.2-4 4.9) ng ml-1 in the nebuliser solution plus saline and procaterol group. Thus subjects who used the nebuliser had markedly higher plasma concentrations of DSCG than subjects who used the aerosol inhaler. Conclusions. These findings may have important implications for the evaluation of inhalation treatment with DSCG for branchial asthma.