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Methacholine (Provocholine)
Methacholine is a cholinergic agonist that binds to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors on airway smooth muscle, causing bronchoconstriction.
Methacholine is a cholinergic agonist that binds to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors on airway smooth muscle, causing bronchoconstriction. Used for Diagnostic agent for methacholine challenge test to assess airway hyperresponsiveness in suspected asthma.
At a glance
| Generic name | Methacholine (Provocholine) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | University of Saskatchewan |
| Drug class | Cholinergic agonist |
| Target | Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (M3) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Respiratory/Pulmonology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Methacholine mimics the action of acetylcholine by directly stimulating muscarinic receptors on bronchial smooth muscle, leading to airway constriction. This property makes it useful as a diagnostic agent to provoke airway hyperresponsiveness in patients suspected of having asthma or other obstructive airway diseases. The degree of bronchoconstriction in response to methacholine challenge correlates with airway hyperreactivity.
Approved indications
- Diagnostic agent for methacholine challenge test to assess airway hyperresponsiveness in suspected asthma
Common side effects
- Bronchoconstriction
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Cough
Key clinical trials
- Effect of Ectoin® Inhalation Solution on Subjects With Mild Bronchial Asthma (NA)
- Body Composition Related Evaluation of Airway Tone and Hyper-rEactivity Using Oscillometry
- Examining Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness in Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (NA)
- Diagnostic and Translational Values of Point-of-care Blood Eosinophils and Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) in People Referred by Primary Care for Suspected Asthma
- A Study to Compare the Relative Potency of Salbutamol Administered Via Metered Dose Inhalers (MDI) Containing Propellants HFA-152a to HFA-134a in Mild Asthmatics Aged 18 to 65 Inclusive (PHASE1)
- Exercise Induced Bronchoconstriction and Field Tests (NA)
- Pilot Study for the Application of Low Power External Bioelectronic Devices in the Diagnosis of Bronchial Asthma.
- BE Study of Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol 90 mcg Per Actuation in Patients With Stable Mild Asthma (PHASE3)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Methacholine (Provocholine) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Methacholine (Provocholine) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- University of Saskatchewan portfolio CI