Comparison of the protective effect of formoterol and of salmeterol against exercise-induced bronchospasm when given immediately before a cycloergometric test.

Background: Salmeterol and formoterol, two long-acting beta(2)-adrenergic agonists, have been shown to be effective against exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) several hours after inhalation, but no study has yet compared their protective effect immediately after administration.

Objectives: To compare the protective effect of inhaled formoterol and salmeterol against EIB immediately and 4 h after administration.

Methods: Double-blind, two-period cross-over study of 11 EIB-positive asthmatic subjects (mean age 21.