title: Efficacy and safety of ipratropium bromide/salbutamol sulphate administered in a hydrofluoroalkane metered-dose inhaler for the treatment of COPD.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) has contributed to the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer resulting in serious health concerns. Ipratropium bromide/salbutamol sulphate CFC-pressurized metered-dose inhalers (IB/SAL-CFC pMDI) have been in widespread use for many years without any apparent ill consequences. This combination has now been reformulated using the hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellant. This study sought to establish the clinical noninferiority of a new HFA-containing IB/SAL pMDI to the conventional IB/SAL-CFC pMDI in subjects with mild/moderate COPD.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, multicenter study in two consecutive periods: a 14-day run-in period followed by a 85-day treatment period. Eligible mild-to-moderate stable COPD subjects aged 40-75 years were enrolled into the study and entered the run-in period during which subjects withdrew all the bronchodilators, except for salbutamol as rescue medication. Subjects were randomized to 85 days treatment with either IB/SAL-HFA or IB/SAL-CFC, 20 μg qid.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 290 randomized patients, 249 completed the study. The primary efficacy variable was the change in forced expiratory volume in one second from predose to 60 minutes after dosing on day 85. At the end of the treatment period, the adjusted mean change in forced expiratory volume in one second at 60 minutes was 123 mL in the IB/SAL-HFA pMDI group and 115 mL in the IB/SAL-CFC pMDI group. Because the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval for the between-group difference (-62 mL) was well within the noninferiority margin (-100 mL), the HFA formulation was deemed clinically noninferior to the CFC formulation. This finding was supported by secondary efficacy assessments. Both formulations of IB/SAL were well tolerated during the prolonged multiple dosing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is concluded that IB/SAL-HFA pMDI provides effective bronchodilation of similar degree to that achieved with IB/SAL-CFC pMDI. Therefore, IB/SAL-HFA pMDI is a valuable alternative to IB/SAL-CFC pMDI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, MP Shah Medical College, Jamnagar, Gujarat.
authors.forename: Amal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
authors.affiliation: Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases, MGM Medical College, Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
authors.forename: Salil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhargava
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Division, SMS Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan.
authors.forename: Virendra
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Diseases, Metro Hospital and Heart Institute, Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
authors.forename: Deepak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Talwar
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Dayanand Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab.
authors.forename: Jagdeep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Whig
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Department, Cipla Ltd, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Juliet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rebello
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Department, Cipla Ltd, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Shrinivas
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Purandare
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Department, Cipla Ltd, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Jaideep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gogtay
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D000335:Aerosol Propellants / Q000009:adverse effects; D000368:Aged; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated / Q000009:adverse effects; D007194:India; D009241:Ipratropium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D036501:Metered Dose Inhalers; D008875:Middle Aged; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013810:Therapeutic Equivalency; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D005466:Fluorocarbons
chemical_list: D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; D000335:Aerosol Propellants; D000420:Albuterol; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated; D009241:Ipratropium; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; C094049:apaflurane; D005466:Fluorocarbons
keywords: COPD; FEV1; hydrofluoroalkane; ipratropium/salbutamol; noninferiority; pressurized metered-dose inhaler