Comparison of four weeks' treatment with fenoterol and terbutaline aerosols in adult asthmatics. A double-blind crossover study.
Fenoterol and terbutaline, two long-acting beta 2-adrenoceptor agonists in aerosol form, were compared in an 8-wk randomized double-blind crossover study in 22 mild to moderately severe asthmatics. Patients completed diary cards, recorded peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) twice daily, and attended a clinic for measurement of PEFR, 1-sec forced expiratory volume (FEV1), and forced vital capacity (FVC) twice during each treatment period. Fifteen patients completed the study; 5 dropped out while using fenoterol, and 2 while using terbutaline. At clinic attendances, the patients had a significantly higher mean PEFR after 4 wk on terbutaline (385 L/min) than after fenoterol (316 L/min) (p less than 0.001). Similar results were found on analysis of the morning and evening PEFR recordings. On comparing each individual's PEFR recordings during the 2 treatments, it was found that there was no significant difference among the treatments in 3 patients, while 9 patients had a better response to terbutaline, and 3 patients had a better response to fenoterol. While similar number expressed a subjective preference for each treatment, the lung function data suggested that the effectiveness of fenoterol appeared to decline during the trial period.
D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005280:Fenoterol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013726:Terbutaline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
D000336:Aerosols; D004983:Ethanolamines; D005280:Fenoterol; D013726:Terbutaline