title: Bronchodilator responses to salbutamol using diskhaler versus metered-dose inhaler.
abstract: In adults inhaling salbutamol via metered-dose inhalers (MDls) 200 microg doses are recommended, but with diskhalers the manufacturer advocates 400 rather than 200 microg doses. To assess this advice, a partially double-blind, placebo-controlled salbutamol dose response, crossover study (also incorporating MDI doses) was conducted in 12 mild/moderate asthmatics. After active treatment, mean peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) increments yielded no clinically or statistically significant differences; compared to placebo, respective median differences in PEFR increments (95% Cls) were 10 (-10, 50), 20 (0, 50), and 15 (0, 30) following 400 and 200 microg via diskhalers and 200 microg via MDls. Diskhalers are a suitable alternative for patients with poor MDI technique, but the use of 400 rather than 200 microg salbutamol doses is not supported by evidence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kou
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Phil
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Kumana
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Ip
authors.forename: I J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Lauder
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000328:Adult; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D000420:Albuterol