Proventil HFA prevents exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in children

Short-acting inhaled beta(2)-agonists used just prior to exercise are an ef fective method for preventing exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in children. This was a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, four-pe riod crossover study that compared the effectiveness of albuterol formulate d in hydrofluoroalkane-134a (HFA) to albuterol formulated in chlorofluoroca rbons (CFCs) and to placebo in protecting asthmatic children age 6-11 from EIB. Patients self-administered either HFA albuterol, two different CFC alb uterol products, or placebo 30 min prior to exercise challenge; Spirometry was performed predose and 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 min after the e xercise challenge was completed. The smallest percent change from the predo se forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV,) after exercise challenge was si milar for the three active treatments, and each of the active treatments wa s significantly better than placebo, Each active treatment had significantl y fewer patients unprotected from EIB (unprotected defined as having >20% f all in FEV1 after exercise challenge) than placebo. Changes in heart rate, blood pressure and electrocardiogram (ECG) intervals were similar for the t hree active treatments following exercise. HFA albuterol is as effective as albuterol products formulated in CFCs and more; effective than placebo in protecting asthmatic children from EIB.