CLINICAL EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF TURBUHALER AS COMPARED TO PRESSURIZEDMDIS-BETA2-AGONISTS

Beta2-agonists are one of the cornerstones in the management of patien ts with obstructive lung diseases. The Turbuhaler containing terbutali ne has been available in several countries for a few years only but ha s proven to have effects comparable to those of the conventional meter ed dose inhaler (MDI) and other powder inhalers in the treatment of ob structive lung diseases. Even in acute severe asthma, treatment with t erbutaline via the Turbuhaler has proven as effective as treatment wit h the conventional MDI in combination with the 750ml spacer. These res ults indicate that the conventional MDI containing terbutaline can be exchanged by the Turbuhaler for most clinical purposes. Thereby this n ew method of treatment can contribute to the reduction of chlorofluoro carbon (CFC) pollution of the atmosphere. Furthermore, CFC-provoked br onchoconstriction can be avoided.