[Dry powdered formoterol, twice a day versus aerosolized salbutamol, four times a day, in patients with stable asthma].
METHODS
The objective of this multicenter, open randomized study was to compare the effect of inhaled formoterol (dry powder with ISF system) 12 mcg twice daily versus salbutamol (200 mg qid) in patients with bronchial asthma. A total of 160 patients were evaluated with such diagnosis in four specialized centers; the main variable was the maximal respiratory flow (MEF) assessed prior to drug administration (morning and afternoon). In addition to this, vital capacity (VC), forced respiratory volume over one second (FEV-1), and other safety variables were also determined.


RESULTS
With regard to MEF the administration of formoterol showed better results (P < 0.05) ever since the first month of treatment. The frequency of adverse events was similar between treatment groups; the formoterol group had fewer nightly wake up periods.


CONCLUSIONS
That formoterol is a safe, efficacious and long-acting Beta 2 agonist which can be administered twice daily.
Rico-Méndez
F G
FG
Departamento de Neumología, Hospital Gaudencio González Garza, Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, IMSS, México, DF.
Ochoa
G
G
Rocío Chapela
M
M
Díaz
M
M
Cohen
V
V
Ibarra
J
J
Téllez
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004983:Ethanolamines; D000420:Albuterol; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate