title: Comparative evaluation of therapeutic response to antiasthma drugs: dry powder vs. conventional aerosol delivery systems.
abstract: Dry powder inhaler (DPI) delivery systems provide advantages over the metered-dose inhaler (MDI) systems. Of the anti-asthma agents studied, most of the trials have focused on the beta adrenergic agonists with a lesser degree of inhaled cromoglycate and corticosteroids. The results of the studies show either similarities or a lesser effect on pulmonary function for the DPI systems but, in most cases, clinical symptoms are comparable. The trials reported vary in the type of controlled designs, doses, and systems evaluated, hence scrutiny of resultant data should follow assessment of methodology in order to clinically interchange these systems in asthmatic patients.
authors.affiliation: National Asosciation for Clinical Research, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106, USA.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Saccar
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D011208:Powders