Comparison of the bronchodilating effects of formoterol and albuterol delivered by hydrofluoroalkane pressurized metered-dose inhaler.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the onset of bronchodilation with a new formoterol hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) with albuterol (salbutamol) HFA pMDI.


METHODS
Thirty patients with stable mild or moderate asthma (23 using inhaled corticosteroids, mean FEV(1) 82% of predicted, >or=15% reversibility to terbutaline 1mg after 30 minutes) received formoterol HFA (Oxis) 2 x 4.5microg, albuterol HFA (Ventoline) Evohaler) 2 x 100microg, or placebo at three separate visits in this randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, three-way crossover study. FEV(1) was measured before and 3, 10, 20, 30 and 60 minutes after inhalation. Change in FEV(1) at 3 minutes after inhalation was the primary variable.


RESULTS
Mean baseline FEV(1) was stable on all study days (range 2.92-2.94L). FEV(1) values at 3 minutes were: formoterol 3.22L (8% increase), albuterol 3.23L (9% increase) and placebo 2.99L (both p < 0.001 vs placebo). Maximum FEV(1) increased similarly with formoterol and albuterol, with no differences observed between the active treatments at any time point. Patients rated treatment effective at 3 minutes in 15 of 30, 19 of 30 and 7 of 30 cases with formoterol, albuterol and placebo, respectively. All treatments were well tolerated.


CONCLUSIONS
In stable, mild, or moderate asthma, formoterol 9microg and albuterol 200microg, both by HFA pMDI, provided equally rapid and effective bronchodilation.
Ankerst
Jaro
J
Department of Medicine, University Hospital Lund, Lund, Sweden. Jaro.Ankerst@med.lu.se
Lötvall
Jan
J
Cassidy
Sarah
S
Byrne
Nicola
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000420:Albuterol / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001980:Bronchi / Q000187:drug effects*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate; D006801:Humans; D036501:Metered Dose Inhalers; D008875:Middle Aged; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000187:drug effects*
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004983:Ethanolamines; D000420:Albuterol; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate