Profiles of measured and perceived bronchodilation. A placebo-controlled cross-over trial comparing formoterol and salmeterol in moderate persistent asthma.

Background And Objective: Long-acting beta(2)-agonists have acquired an indispensable position in the management of bronchial symptoms in patients with asthma. The objective of this study was to compare onset-of-action and clinical effectiveness of formoterol and salmeterol during 2 weeks of treatment. We also investigated the association between bronchodilator effects and perceived relieve of dyspnoea.

Improved health outcomes in patients with COPD during 1 yr's treatment with tiotropium.

Tiotropium, a novel once-daily inhaled anticholinergic, has been shown to improve lung function over a 24-h period. In order to extend these findings, health-outcomes were evaluated over 1 yr in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Spirometric results, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), salbutamol use and effects on dyspnoea, health-related quality of life and COPD exacerbations were assessed in two identical 1-yr randomized double-blind double-dummy studies of tiotropium 18 microg once daily (n=356) compared with ipratropium 40 microg q.

A study on the clinical equivalence and patient preference of fluticasone propionate 250 microg twice daily via the Diskus/Accuhaler inhaler or the Diskhaler inhaler in adult asthmatic patients.

The Diskus/Accuhaler inhaler (D/A) is a new multidose powder inhaler, designed to deliver all asthma drugs. This study was carried out to establish clinical equivalence between FP 250 microg twice daily (b.i.

A short (3-day) course of azithromycin tablets versus a 10-day course of amoxycillin-clavulanic acid (co-amoxiclav) in the treatment of adults with lower respiratory tract infections and effects on long-term outcome.

The efficacy and safety of a 3-day regimen of azithromycin prescribed in the new tablet form and of a 10-day regimen of amoxycillin clavulanic acid (co-amoxiclav, Augmentin) were compared in patients with acute lower respiratory tract infections. Of the 144 enrolled patients, 123 had a Type 1 acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (AECB), three patients had pneumonia, and 18 had purulent bronchitis. Treatment was successful, defined as cure or major improvement on day 14, in 59/62 (95%) patients in the azithromycin treatment group compared with 54/61 (90%) patients in the co-amoxiclav.

A dose-response study with formoterol Turbuhaler as maintenance therapy in asthmatic patients.

The aim of this randomized, double-blind, parallel group study was to determine the lowest effective dose of 6, 12 and 24 microg formoterol fumarate dihydrate Turbuhaler b.i.d.

Long-term efficacy of formoterol compared to salbutamol.

In a randomized, double-blind, between-patient, multicenter study in 301 patients with ROAD, the efficacy and tolerability of the new long-acting selective beta 2-sympathicomimetic drug formoterol (12 micrograms inhalation b.i.d.

Ventilatory and haemodynamic effects of prenalterol and terbutaline in asthmatic patients.

In 8 asthmatic patients a comparative study was performed of the ventilatory and haemodynamic effects of the beta 1-receptor stimulator prenalterol and the beta 2-receptor stimulator terbutaline infused in increasing doses after a placebo. Terbutaline caused a dose-dependent decrease in diastolic blood-pressure (BP) and an increase in systolic BP and heart-rate (HR), while mean arterial pressure (MAP) did not change. Prenalterol produced a dose-dependent increase in MAP and systolic BP, while diastolic BP was unaffected.

Ventilatory and haemodynamic effects of terbutaline infusion during beta 1-selective blockade with metoprolol and acebutolol in asthmatic patients.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the haemodynamic and ventilatory effects of two beta 1-selective adrenoceptor blockers and their interaction with the beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist terbutaline was carried out in eight asthmatic patients. One hour after intake of placebo, metoprolol 100 mg or acebutolol 400 mg, increasing doses of terbutaline were infused. Before and one hour after ingestion of the medication and after each infusion of terbutaline, ventilatory and haemodynamic indices were measured.

Comparative study of the ventilatory effects of three beta 1-selective blocking agents in asthmatic patients.

A double blind, placebo-controlled study of the ventilatory effects of three new beta 1-selective adrenoceptor blockers was carried out in eight asthmatic patients. Measurements were performed before and 2, 3 and 4 h after ingestion of a single oral dose of placebo, atenolol 100 mg, metoprolol 100 mg or acebutolol 400 mg. At each time ventilatory indices and heart rate were assessed before, during and 15 min after an exercise test.