Efficacy and duration of action of oral procaterol in asthmatic children after single administration of different dosages.
A double-blind crossover study was performed to evaluate the bronchodilating effect of different single doses of procaterol (less than 0.5 micrograms/kg, 1.5 micrograms/kg, and placebo) orally administered. Sixteen asthmatic children, age 6-12 years, participated in the trial. Pulmonary function, heart rate, blood pressure, and tremor were evaluated at 30, 60, 90, and 120 min and then hourly for 8 hours after administration. All three doses were therapeutically effective. The 1.5 micrograms/kg dose produced a more sustained bronchodilatation effect, but was also associated with an increase in the incidence of tremors. The 0.5 micrograms/kg dosage may, however, be a good starting dose because it assures a reasonable risk/benefit ratio.
Boner
A L
AL
Policlinico Borgo Roma, Verona, Italy.
Zanotto
C E
CE
Piacentini
G
G
Miglioranzi
P
P
Richelli
C
C
Sette
L
L
D000284:Administration, Oral; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D002648:Child; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008450:Maximal Midexpiratory Flow Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D017265:Procaterol; D013997:Time Factors; D014202:Tremor / Q000139:chemically induced; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000187:drug effects
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004983:Ethanolamines; D017265:Procaterol