Formoterol vs. Albuterol administered via Turbuhaler® System in the emergency treatment of acute asthma in children

• Autores: B. Casas Becerra, Blanca Estela del Río Navarro, Yadira Velázquez Armenta, Lourdes Avila-Castañón, Juan José Luis Sienra-Monge
• Localización: Allergologia et immunopathologia: International journal for clinical and investigate allergology and clinical immunology, ISSN-e 1578-1267, ISSN 0301-0546, Vol. 32, Nº. 1, 2004, págs. 18-20
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Background: Formoterol is a new ß2-agonist with a duration of 8-12 hours. Albuterol is a ß2-agonist with rapid onset of action and a duration of approximately 6 hours.Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the onset of action between formoterol and albuterol, both administered through a Turbohaler®.

    Material and method: In a double-blind, parallel-group study design 36 patients were randomly allocated to receive either formoterol 12 µg or salbutamol 200 µg. The two drugs were administered through a Turbohaler® system. Response (% forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1]) was evaluated 3, 30 and 60 minutes after drug administration.

    Results: The %FEV1 values at 3, 30 and 60 minutes were similar in both groups: 82 ± 15.0 for formoterol and 82 ± 14.4 for albuterol at 60 minutes (p > 0.05).

    Conclusions: Formoterol 12 µg has a similar onset of action and potency to albuterol 200 µg when administered via a Turbuhaler® in children with a mild acute asthma crisis.