COMPARISON OF BRONCHODILATING MEETS OF 2 SALBUTAMOL DRY POWDER INHALERS IN ASTHMATIC-PATIENTS

In an open, randomized crossover study two different types of dry powd er inhalers (DPIs) were compared. Twenty-five adult asthmatic patients inhaled a single dose of 200 mu g of salbutamol (GAS 18559-94-9) on t wo separate days. Salbutamol was administered either from a novel mult idose DPI (Easyhaler(R), test DPI) or from another type of DPI (refere nce DPI). On both study days lung function, blood pressure and heart r ate were measured during a 4-h follow-up period.Both powder inhalers c aused a clear increase in lung function parameters. The mean (SD) maxi mum forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) after the test DPI was 3. 25 (1.30)1 and after the reference DPI 3.25 (1.29) 1. The mean relativ e change from the baseline in FEV(1) was similar after administration of both preparations. The mean area under the curve (AUC(0-4h)) Of the absolute FEV(1) values was 729 (316) and 731 (309)\ x min after test and reference DPIs, respectively. The salbutamol doses had no clinical ly significant effects on blood pressure or heart rate and were equall y well tolerated. Furthermore, 41 % of patients preferred the test DPI and 19 % the reference DPI, while 40 % felt there was no difference b etween the devices. In conclusion, the results of this study show that the test DPI, a novel multidose powder inhaler, is an effective, safe and convenient alternative when an inhaled bronchodilator treatment i s considered for an obstructive patient.