title: Retrospective study of bitolterol mesylate in the treatment of conditions associated with reversible bronchospasm.
abstract: Patients with reversible bronchospasm benefit from the use of inhaled beta-adrenergic agents. In this retrospective study of 24 older patients with a variety of conditions associated with reversible bronchospasm--asthma, asthma with emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthmatic bronchitis--symptomatic improvement was noted after treatment with inhaled bitolterol mesylate. Symptoms resolved or improved after 1 month in 93.8% (15/16) of patients using a metered-dose inhaler and in 75% (6/8) of those using a hand-held nebulizer. Sixteen additional patients were randomly selected to undergo pulmonary function tests after receiving two to three puffs of bitolterol from a metered-dose inhaler. FEV1 improved by 10.9%, FVC by 12.1%, and FEF25%-75% by 34.4% after administration of bitolterol. No adverse events were noted in any patients in either group. The results of this retrospective study suggest that bitolterol is an effective and safe treatment in patients with conditions associated with reversible bronchospasm.
authors.affiliation: St. Luke's Hospital, New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Messina
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000368:Aged; D001986:Bronchial Spasm / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies