Duration of action of the salmeterol/fluticasone combination inhaler administered in the evening: a randomized controlled trial in childhood asthma.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the duration of bronchodilator action of a salmeterol/fluticasone combination (SFC) inhaler when administered in the evening to children with asthma.


METHODS



METHODS
A double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study.


METHODS
Hospital inpatient.


METHODS
Fourteen children aged between 4 and 11 years with mild to moderate asthma (FEV(1) > 60% predicted) who exhibited a 15% increase in FEV(1) with bronchodilator.


METHODS
SUBJECTS inhaled, in random order, either SFC (100/50 microg) or placebo, via accuhaler, at 20.00 hours on two separate occasions with at least 3 days between study days.


METHODS
Lung function measurements including FEV(1), PEF, specific airways conductance (sGaw) and maximum expiratory flow at 25-75% of vital capacity were measured at baseline, 2, 12, 16, 20 and 24 h.


RESULTS
For all lung function parameters SFC resulted in significantly greater bronchodilation than placebo for at least 20 h after inhalation. At 24 h, the increase in FEV(1) and PEF compared with placebo was 0.08 L (95% confidence interval: -0.18 to 0.02, P = 0.16) and 27 L/min (95% confidence interval: -47 to -6, P = 0.004), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The single administration of SFC via an accuhaler in the evening resulted in significant bronchodilation for at least 20 h in children with asthma.
Aldington
Sarah
S
Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand.
Williams
Mathew
M
Weatherall
Mark
M
Beasley
Richard
R
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D000068298:Fluticasone; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate
D000730:Androstadienes; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D000068298:Fluticasone; D000420:Albuterol