title: Bronchodilator response to formoterol Turbuhaler in patients with COPD under regular treatment with formoterol Turbuhaler.
abstract: Formoterol Turbuhaler has been suggested for as-needed use in asthmatic patients. We investigated whether regular treatment with formoterol would modify the dose-response curves to formoterol in patients with partially reversible COPD. In this randomised, double-blind, cross-over study taking place over four non-consecutive days 16 outpatients with moderate to severe COPD, who were under regular treatment with formoterol Turbuhaler (18 microg in two daily doses) from at least 4 months, inhaled a conventional dose of formoterol Turbuhaler 9 microg or placebo. Two hours later, a FEV(1) value was established, following which a dose-response curve to formoterol (4.5 microg/inhalation) or placebo was constructed using four inhalations (1+1+2)--total cumulative delivered dose of 18 microg formoterol--with the following sequences: (1) formoterol pre-treatment + formoterol 18 microg, (2) formoterol pre-treatment + placebo, (3) placebo pre-treatment + formoterol 18 microg, (4) placebo pre-treatment + placebo. Formoterol 9 microg induced significant (P < 0.0001) bronchodilation at 2 h after inhalation (best mean increase in FEV(1): 0.170 L). Afterwards, dose-dependent increases in FEV(1) occurred with formoterol (maximum mean increase from 2-h value with formoterol: 0.072 after formoterol pre-treatment, and 0.201 L after placebo pre-treatment). Both maximum values of bronchodilation after the last inhalation of formoterol were statistically different (P < 0.001) from 2-h levels. These results show that dose-dependent bronchodilatation of formoterol is maintained despite regular treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Unit of Pneumology and Allergology, A Cardarelli Hospital, Second University of Naples, Via del Parco Margherita 24, 80121 Naples, Italy. mcazzola@qubisoft.it
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cazzola
authors.forename: Maria Gabriella
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Matera
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: D'Amato
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Califano
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sanduzzi
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vatrella
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Amato
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate; D006801:Humans; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004983:Ethanolamines; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate