Method for preventing the onset of asthma

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for preventing the onset of asthma which comprises administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of cetirizine, an individual optical isomer thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

1 - 11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . A method for preventing the onset of asthma in an infant or child in need thereof, which comprises administering to the infant or child a therapeutically effective amount of cetirizine, an individual optical isomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.  
   
   
       13 . A method for preventing the onset of asthma in an infant or child in need thereof, which comprises administering to the infant or child prophylactically prior to the onset of asthma a therapeutically effective amount of cetirizine, an individual optical isomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.  
   
   
       14 . A method for preventing the sensitisation of an infant or child at risk of developing an asthma disease, which comprises administering to the infant or child a therapeutically effective amount of cetirizine, an individual optical isomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to any one of claims  12 ,  13  or  14 , wherein the salt is cetirizine dihydrochloride.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to any one of claims  12 ,  13  or  14 , wherein the infant or child is 1 to 4 years of age.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to any one of claims  12 ,  13  or  14 , which comprises administering a daily dosage from about 0.0005 mg to about 2 mg of said cetirizine, said individual optical isomer thereof, or said pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, per kg of body weight of the infant or child.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 17 , which comprises administering a daily dosage of about 0.05 mg to about 1 mg per kg of body weight of the infant or child.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to any one of claims  12 ,  13  or  14 , which comprises administering said cetirizine, said individual optical isomer thereof, or said pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, from 1 to 3 times a day.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to any one of claims  12 ,  13  or  14 , wherein said cetirizine, said individual optical isomer thereof, or said pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is administered orally.  
   
   
       21 . The method according to any one of claims  12 ,  13  or  14 , wherein the infant or child has at least one parent or sibling with a history of atopic disease.