title: Improved delivery of ipratropium bromide/fenoterol from Respimat Soft Mist Inhaler in patients with COPD.
abstract: We performed a multicentre, randomised, double-blind (within-device), placebo- and active-controlled, parallel-group study to compare the efficacy and safety of ipratropium bromide plus fenoterol hydrobromide (IB/FEN; Berodual) delivered via the novel, propellant-free Respimat Soft Mist Inhaler (SMI) and from a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-metered-dose inhaler (MDI) in moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. After 2-weeks' run-in (CFC-MDI [IB 20 microg/FEN 50 microg per actuation] two actuations q.i.d. [MDI 40/100]), 892 patients were randomised to Respimat SMI containing IB 10 microg/FEN 25 microg (Respimat SMI 10/25), IB 20 microg/FEN 50 microg (Respimat SMI 20/50) or placebo (one actuation q.i.d.), or a CFC-MDI containing IB 20 microg/FEN 50 microg (MDI 40/100) or placebo (two actuations q.i.d.) for 12 weeks. Analysis of the primary endpoint (change in forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1] in the first 60 min after dosing [area under the curve; AUC0-1h]) on day 85 showed that the efficacy of Respimat SMI 20/50 (but not Respimat SMI 10/25) was not inferior to that of MDI 40/100. The safety profile of Respimat SMI was comparable to CFC-MDI. Switching from MDI 40/100 to Respimat SMI was well tolerated. Respimat SMI enables a 50% reduction of the nominal inhaled dose of IB/FEN in COPD patients while offering similar therapeutic efficacy and safety to the CFC-MDI.
authors.affiliation: Aeirtec Research Unit, Aeirtec Ltd., Bioscience Building, Times Square, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK. skilfeather@aeirtec.co.uk
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Kilfeather
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Ponitz
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bowen
authors.forename: Ch
authors.initials: Ch
authors.lastname: Hesse
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004867:Equipment Design; D005280:Fenoterol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009241:Ipratropium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers / Q000592:standards; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D005280:Fenoterol; D009241:Ipratropium