title: Duration of action of formoterol and salbutamol dry-powder inhalation in prevention of exercise-induced asthma in children.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect and tolerability of formoterol 12 micrograms on exercise-induced asthma in children for 12 h as compared to the effect of salbutamol 400 micrograms and placebo. The drugs were inhaled as dry powder from a flow-dependent metered-dose inhaler (DP-MDI). Sixteen asthmatic children took part in a double-blind placebo-controlled within-patient single-centre trial. On each study day the patients were given one of the drugs or placebo in random order, and standardized exercise tests were performed after 3 and 12 h. At a pretrial test the children had demonstrated a median maximum percentage fall of 38% (range 22-79%) in forced expiratory volume in 1 s after exercise challenge. Formoterol showed a median percentage protection of 77% and 70% at 3 and 12 h postexercise, respectively, as compared to 46% and 13% with salbutamol. No side-effects were observed. Formoterol 12 micrograms administered as dry powder offers significantly better protection against exercise-induced asthma after 3 and 12 h as compared to salbutamol 400 micrograms and placebo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, National University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Daugbjerg
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skov
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bisgaard
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000420:Albuterol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001250:Asthma, Exercise-Induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D011208:Powders; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004983:Ethanolamines; D011208:Powders; D000420:Albuterol; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate