Formoterol Turbuhaler 4.5 microg (delivered dose) has a rapid onset and 12-h duration of bronchodilation.
Clinical trials show that formoterol (Oxis) Turbuhaler 4.5 microg delivered dose (6 microg metered dose) has a rapid onset of bronchodilation similar to that of salbutamol and a 12-h duration of action. Maximum increase in FEV(1) and duration of bronchodilation are dose-dependent, the 4.5 microg dose being the lowest dose tested giving both effects. Clinical studies investigating onset of bronchodilation show a significant increase in specific airway conductance occurring within 1 min after inhalation of formoterol Turbuhaler 4.5 microg. When measured from 3-20 min after inhalation, formoterol Turbuhaler 4.5 microg showed similar increases in FEV(1) to salbutamol administered via pMDI. No difference in onset of bronchodilation was observed between the formoterol Turbuhaler 4.5 and 9 microg doses.Single-dose studies and studies of 1-12 weeks' duration show that formoterol Turbuhaler 4.5 microg produces a significant and clinically important mean bronchodilating effect for > or =12 h after inhalation. In the cited studies no significant differences in duration of bronchodilation were observed between the formoterol Turbuhaler 4.5 and 9 microg doses.


CONCLUSIONS
clinical data show that formoterol Turbuhaler 4.5 microg is an effective dose in patients with asthma, with a rapid onset of bronchodilation and a duration of at least 12 h.
Selroos
Olof
O
AstraZeneca R&D, S-221 87, Lund, Sweden. olof.selroos@astrazeneca.com
Ekström
Tommy
T
D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols; D000420:Albuterol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D013997:Time Factors
D000336:Aerosols; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004983:Ethanolamines; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D000420:Albuterol; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate