A MULTICENTER COMPARISON OF THE EFFICACY OF TERBUTALINE TURBUHALER(TM) AND SALBUTAMOL PRESSURIZED METERED-DOSE INHALER IN HOT, HUMID REGIONS

Twenty seven adults and 20 children with previously diagnosed stable a sthma, using a salbutamol pressurized metered dose inhaler (P-MDI) and living in Cairns, Townsville and Southport, Queensland, Australia par ticipated in a randomized, open-label cross-over comparison of terbuta line administered via Turbuhaler(TM) and salbutamol administered via P -MDI. The aim of the study was to compare the clinical effectiveness a nd patient acceptance of the two treatments in hot, humid regions. Ter butaline was administered via Turbuhaler and salbutamol via P-MDI on a t least two occasions per day during each four week treatment period. Spirometry was performed at the start of the study, after the two week run-in and at the end of each treatment period. Patients used diary c ards to record morning and evening peak expiratory flows, daily sympto m scores and daily intake of beta(2) agonist medication. At the end of the study, patients answered a treatment preference question. Forty s ix patients completed the study. No statistically significant differen ces were observed between the two treatments in peak expiratory flow, change in morning peak expiratory flow pre- and post-beta-agonist, dai ly symptom scores, diurnal variability and spirometry. Forty four perc ent of patients preferred the terbutaline Turbuhaler and 39% preferred salbutamol P-MDI. Both agents were similarly tolerated. Terbutaline d elivered by Turbuhaler is as clinically effective as salbutamol delive red by P-MDI in patients with asthma living in hot, humid regions.