Intal asthma inhaler to be discontinued

Clinicians should review all patients prescribed Intal and not initiate any new patients on the product, the DHSC has said. Inhaled corticosteroids are the first-choice preventer drug and prescribers should refer to BTS/SIGN asthma guidance when deciding how to manage patients after they have stopped treatment with sodium cromoglicate.

Intal is licensed for the preventative treatment of asthma in adults and children. No alternative chromone (ie, sodium cromoglicate or nedocromil sodium) inhalers are available.

The BTS/SIGN asthma guideline considers inhaled corticosteroids to be the first-choice preventer drug, and sodium cromoglicate as an alternative but less effective preventer therapy.

The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) does not recommend the use of chromones in children age 6–11 years because of low efficacy, and does not include this class of agent as a treatment option in adults.