Effect of hydrofluoroalkane-ethanol inhalers on estimated alcohol levels in asthmatic subjects.

Background And Objective: Inhaled medication administered via a metered dose inhaler (MDI) is often used to treat asthma. Hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) has replaced chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) as the propellant and these new MDI may contain alcohol. This raises concerns that their use may transiently increase breath ethanol concentration (BEC), thereby interfering with random breath testing.

The effect of marimastat, a metalloprotease inhibitor, on allergen-induced asthmatic hyper-reactivity.

This pilot study was designed to assess whether a synthetic matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor has anti-inflammatory properties in mild asthma. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) has been shown to be an important cytokine in the pathogenesis of allergic airway inflammatory responses, and its release can be inhibited by MMP inhibitors. Twelve atopic asthmatic subjects received the MMP inhibitor marimastat (5 mg) or placebo, twice daily for 3 weeks, separated by a 6-week washout period in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over manner.