STUDY OF THE BRONCHODILATING EFFECT OF 3 DOSES OF NEBULIZED OXITROPIUM BROMIDE IN ASTHMATIC PRESCHOOL-CHILDREN USING THE FORCED OSCILLATIONTECHNIQUE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bronchodilating capacity of nebulized oxitropium bromide (OB) in preschool asthmatic children and to determine an appropriate dose for usage in this age group. The tria l enrolled 20 patients with moderate to severe stable asthma aged betw een 3.2 and 6.2 years (mean 4.7). Applying a placebo controlled, doubl e-blind design, the effect of placebo was compared with three differen t doses of OB (375, 750 and 1500 mu g) and with 400 mu g fenoterol. Th e three different doses of OB resulted in a highly significant broncho dilation within 15 min after administration. The observed bronchodilat ion was comparable between the three doses during the first 2 h. Howev er, after 4 h the lowest dose was significantly less powerful than the highest dose. Compared to the additional bronchodilation induced by f enoterol, no difference was found with the degree of bronchodilation o f OB which occurred during the first 2 h. Furthermore, after 4 h only the lowest dose of OB was significantly less powerful than fenoterol a ssessed 10 min following a single 400 mu g dose. Conclusion Oxitropium bromide is a potent and long-acting bronchodilator in preschool child ren at a dose of 750 mu g and 1500 mu g. No side-effects were observed . The exact duration of action remains uncertain, but even 4 h after i nhaling 750 or 1500 mu g of OB no additive bronchodilation induced by fenoterol could be observed.