A comparison of standard inhalers for asthma with and without alcohol as the propellant on the measurement of alcohol in breath.
Because most bronchodilator inhalers contain propellant gases or a small amount of ethanol as a co-solvent, the potential for these products to generate false readings on a evidential breath alcohol instrument was evaluated in 69 volunteers with clinically stable asthma. All subjects underwent a breath test on an infrared breath alcohol analyzer (Alcotest 7110, Dräger, Lübeck, Germany) before the use of the asthma inhaler and 1 and 5 min after inhalation. The effects of antiasthmatic medications delivered by metered dose inhalers (MDIs) with alcohol as a vehicle, alcohol-free MDIs, and dry powder inhalers were assessed in homogeneous groups of four to five patients. All subjects were alcohol-free on the preliminary breath test. One minute after inhalation, negative readings were only observed in 25 (36.2%) of subjects. In 62.3% of patients, apparent alcohol results were considered interferences or unstable readings by the breath-test instrument. One subject showed a final positive breath alcohol level (0.07 mg/L). After the use of dry powder inhalers, valid results without interferences were obtained. However, 89.6% of patients in which bronchodilators were delivered by MDIs (with propellant gases in the aerosol) showed altered partial readings and labeled the final output as "invalid," but tests performed 5 min after the use of inhalers were valid and correct in all cases. MDIs with propellants as a vehicle may cause false positive breath alcohol readings in some patients. These effects are transient and may be prevented by a 5-10-min interval between the use of MDIs and breath alcohol testing.
Ignacio-García
José M
JM
Department of Pneumology, Hospital Serranía de Ronda, Ronda, Málaga, Spain. JOSEMARIAIGNACIO@telefonica.net
Ignacio-García
Juan M
JM
Almenara-Barrios
José
J
Chocrón-Giraldez
María J
MJ
Hita-Iglesias
Carmen
C
D000328:Adult; D000335:Aerosol Propellants / Q000737:chemistry*; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000295:instrumentation*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036501:Metered Dose Inhalers; D008875:Middle Aged
D000335:Aerosol Propellants; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000431:Ethanol