Clinical efficacy with formoterol in the absence of a response to salmeterol: a review.
Salmeterol and formoterol are both beta 2-agonist bronchodilators with a long duration of action and are often classified together, yet they are distinctly different in their pharmacology. Recent evidence suggests there is a subpopulation of asthmatic patients who do not respond to salmeterol, yet can attain clinical benefit with formoterol. Following a literature search, three published case reports are reviewed as well as results from two published clinical trials designed specifically to document response to formoterol in 'non-responders to salmeterol' asthmatics. Possible mechanisms underlying this observation are discussed, including pharmacological differences of the two drugs relating to agonism at the beta 2-receptor and to effect on nuclear transcription factors.
Kottakis
J
J
Novartis Respiratory Research Centre, Wimblehurst Road, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 5AB, UK.
Wood
R
R
Le Gros
V
V
Della Cioppa
G
G
D000420:Albuterol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate; D006801:Humans; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004983:Ethanolamines; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D000420:Albuterol; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate