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Formoterol and Salbutamol Equally Fast Acting for Dyspnea Episodes in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Presented at ERS

By Cameron Johnston

Special to DG News

BERLIN, GERMANY -- September 26, 2001 -- Formoterol and salbutamol both offer near-identical speed of action in relieving dyspnea among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

In a study conducted by Dr. D. Benhamou and colleagues from Novartis, Pharma Research in Rouen, France, and presented yesterday (September 24) at the European Respiratory Society meeting, in Berlin, Germany, there were no differences between the two drugs over the first three hours in 24 patients with confirmed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who received either salbutamol or formoterol to treat sudden onset dyspnea.

The patients had a mean age 61 and long-term chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. They were treated for a single bout of dyspnea with either formoterol (Foradil 12 µg, two capsules delivered via Aerolozer dry powder inhaler), or salbutamol (Ventodisk, 200 µg, two puffs). There was also a matched group of patients who received placebo.

According to the presentation, there were no statistically significant differences seen in either the increase in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) or forced vital capacity (FVC). Nor were there differences seen in area under the curve (AUC) at 0-30 minutes, 0-60 minutes, or 0-180 minutes.

The change in AUC seen at 0-30 minutes was 5.89 L in the formoterol group and 6.06 ion the salbutamol group - both of which were higher than the measurements seen in the placebo group (-0.32L).

The researchers noted that the maximum benefit in terms of both FEV1 and FVC were seen within the first five minutes that the dose of either drug was administered. The maximum increase in FEV1 that was seen was 15 percent with both drugs.

The maximum increase in bronchodilation was seen in 30 minutes.

The patients seen in the study were deemed to have mild COPD, which was reversible - meeting a change in FEV1 of at least 15 percent in clinic-controlled challenge tests.

There were no drug-related adverse events seen and no discontinuations due to the drug use.

"Most of the change in FEV1 was seen in the first five minutes, as was the change in FVC," the investigators commented. "One effect that we might see is that these results could help improve patient compliance when they do have a bout of dyspnea because they will feel that at least they can do something without going to a hospital, and that the condition can be managed."

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