EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF INHALED SALMETEROL (SEREVENT) AS MAINTENANCE THERAPY FOR ASTHMA IN NAIROBI

An open study to assess the efficacy and safety of 50 micrograms inhal ed Salmeterol (Serevent) administered twice daily as maintenance thera py for asthma was undertaken by the Respiratory Diseases Research Unit (RDRU) in Nairobi between August and October, 1992. Salmeterol (Hydro xynaphthoate) is a long acting selective beta-2-agonist. Seventy-three adult patients recruited at Kenyatta National Hospital underwent a tw o weeks treatment period during which they were assessed over three vi sits. At Visit 1, eligibility was confirmed, baseline lung function in dices measured, the study drug introduced and all the previous medicat ions withdrawn. After treatment for one week (Visit 2) and two weeks ( Visit 3), lung function indices were measured again and subjective pat ients' and physicians' assessments of efficacy documented. Patients wi th obstructive ventilatory defect (OVD) at baseline had significant im provement in their lung function compared to those without at the end of the treatment period. A significant number of patients reported dec reased number of nocturnal awakenings and increased tolerance to physi cal activity. Cough, headache and itchy throat were adverse events pos sibly related to the use of Salmeterol. The patients treated with Salm eterol gained improved control of their asthma symptoms. The drug offe rs a convenient dose schedule and we recommend its use for maintenance therapy for mild to moderate asthma.