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

B. Casas Becerra, Blanca Estela del Río Navarro, Yadira Velázquez Armenta, Lourdes Avila-Castañón, Juan José Luis Sienra-Monge

• 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.