Formoterol vs. albuterol administered via Turbuhaler system in the emergency treatment of acute asthma in children.
BACKGROUND
Formoterol is a new beta 2 agonist with a duration of 8-12 hours. Albuterol is a beta 2-agonist with rapid onset of action and a duration of approximately 6 hours.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to compare the onset of action between formoterol and albuterol, both administered through a Turbohaler.


METHODS
In a double-blind, parallel-group study design 36 patients were randomly allocated to receive either formoterol 12 microg or salbutamol 200 microg. The two drugs were administered through a Turbohaler system. Response (% forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1]) was evaluated 3, 30 and 60 minutes after drug administration.


RESULTS
The %FEV1 values at 3, 30 and 60 minutes were similar in both groups: 82 15.0 for formoterol and 82 14.4 for albuterol at 60 minutes (p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Formoterol 12 microg has a similar onset of action and potency to albuterol 200 microg when administered via a Turbuhaler in children with a mild acute asthma crisis.
Department of Allergy and Immunology, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, México DF, México. Lourdesavilacas@aol.com
L
L
Avila-Castañón
B
B
Casas-Becerra
B E
BE
Del Río-Navarro
Y
Y
Velázquez-Armenta
J J L
JJ
Sienra-Monge
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036501:Metered Dose Inhalers; D011208:Powders
D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004983:Ethanolamines; D011208:Powders; D000420:Albuterol; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate