Fenoterol dose-response study in children with asthma.
We have studied the effect of fenoterol, a selective beta-2 adrenergic agent, on airway obstruction in children with asthma. The drug was administered orally in single doses of 2.5, 5, and 7.5 mg to 20 children with chronic stable asthma of moderate severity. The mean age of the children was 11.6 yr. Pulmonary function tests were performed as baseline at zero time and at intervals over a 6-hour period after drug administration. Onset of action for all doses was within 1 hr with a peak effect noted at 1.5 to 3 hr, and sustained improvement was observed over the entire 6 hr. The doses of 5 mg and 7.5 mg were equally effective in producing significant improvement of pulmonary function compared to 2.5 mg (p less than 0.05). Side effects remained acceptable for all patients. The 5 and 7.5 mg doses produced significant adverse effects that involved the central nervous and musculoskeletal systems, whereas the 7.5 mg dose caused a significant incidence of tachycardia. Our findings indicate: (1) fenoterol is a potent oral bronchodilator for large and small airways in children, (2) the 7.5 mg dose does not achieve any additive effect over a 5 mg dose; and (3) 5 mg is the optimal oral dose of fenoterol for children from age 8 to 12 yr.
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005280:Fenoterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008450:Maximal Midexpiratory Flow Rate; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000187:drug effects
D004983:Ethanolamines; D005280:Fenoterol