Proof-of-concept evaluation of trough airway hyper-responsiveness following regular racemic or levosalbutamol in genotype-stratified steroid-treated persistent asthmatic patients

2013 ◽  
Vol 126 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J. Anderson ◽  
Philip M. Short ◽  
Peter A. Williamson ◽  
Ashley E. Morrison ◽  
Colin Palmer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Inhaled Corticosteroids ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Post Dose ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Asthmatic Patients ◽  
On Demand ◽  
Concept Evaluation ◽  
Doubling Dilution

Asthmatic patients receiving ICSs (inhaled corticosteroids) may take frequent add-on therapy with salbutamol despite on-demand prescription. Frequent salbutamol use can be detrimental in asthma. The isomeric formulation of salbutamol and the B2ADR (β2 adrenoceptor) 16 genotype may also influence this phenomenon. We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, triple crossover, proof of concept trial comparing 2 weeks of regular therapy with inhaled racemic salbutamol [200 μg q.i.d. (four times daily)], levosalbutamol (100 μg q.i.d.) or placebo on trough methacholine PC20 [provocative concentration causing 20% fall in FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 s)] 6 h post-dose (the primary outcome) in 30 persistent asthmatic patients (15 who were Arg16 homozygous and 15 who were Gly16 homozygous) all receiving ICSs. There was no worsening of AHR (airway hyper-responsiveness) at trough to methacholine after 2 weeks regular exposure to either racemic (P=0.53) or levosalbutamol (P=0.84) compared with placebo, nor between genotypes–as dd (doubling dilution) difference in methacholine PC20 from placebo [salbutamol/Arg16=0.36 dd [95% CI (confidence interval), −0.43, 1.15]; salbutamol/Gly16=0.01 dd (95% CI, −0.47, 0.49); levosalbutamol/Arg16=−0.01 dd (95% CI, −0.89, 0.87); and levosalbutamol/Gly16=0.28 dd (95% CI, −0.22, 0.77)]. Both active treatments improved morning PEF (peak expiratory flow) in Gly16 (P=0.04 overall) but not Arg16 (P=0.50 overall) patients, whereas evening PEF improved in both Gly16 (P<0.001 overall) and Arg16 (P=0.006 overall) patients. In conclusion, the regular exposure to either racemic or levosalbutamol for 2 weeks added to ICSs did not cause worsening of AHR at trough compared with placebo; with no difference seen between B2ADR 16 genotypes.

scholarly journals Effects of umeclidinium/vilanterol on exercise endurance in COPD: a randomised study

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 00073-2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
John H. Riley ◽  
Chris J. Kalberg ◽  
Alison Donald ◽  
David A. Lipson ◽  
Muhammad Shoaib ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Post Dose ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Endurance Time ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Randomised Study ◽  
Residual Capacity ◽  
Exercise Endurance

This multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-period crossover study assessed the effect of umeclidinium/vilanterol (UMEC/VI) on exercise capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using the endurance shuttle walk test (ESWT).Patients were randomised 1:1 to one of two treatment sequences: 1) UMEC/VI 62.5/25 µg followed by placebo or 2) placebo followed by UMEC/VI 62.5/25 µg. Each treatment was taken once daily for 12 weeks. The primary end-point was 3-h post-dose exercise endurance time (EET) at week 12. Secondary end-points included trough forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and 3-h post-dose functional residual capacity (FRC), both at week 12. COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score at week 12 was also assessed.UMEC/VI treatment did not result in a statistically significant improvement in EET change from baseline at week 12 versus placebo (p=0.790). However, improvements were observed in trough FEV1 (206 mL, 95% CI 167–246), 3-h post-dose FRC (−346 mL, 95% CI −487 to −204) and CAT score (−1.07 units, 95% CI −2.09 to −0.05) versus placebo at week 12.UMEC/VI did not result in improvements in EET at week 12 versus placebo, despite improvements in measures of lung function, hyperinflation and health status.

scholarly journals Efficacy of umeclidinium/vilanterol versus umeclidinium and salmeterol monotherapies in symptomatic patients with COPD not receiving inhaled corticosteroids: the EMAX randomised trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
François Maltais ◽  
Leif Bjermer ◽  
Edward M. Kerwin ◽  
Paul W. Jones ◽  
Michael L. Watkins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Failure ◽  
Inhaled Corticosteroids ◽  
Randomised Trial ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Clinically Important Deterioration ◽  
Exacerbation Risk

Abstract Background Prospective evidence is lacking regarding incremental benefits of long-acting dual- versus mono-bronchodilation in improving symptoms and preventing short-term disease worsening/treatment failure in low exacerbation risk patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) not receiving inhaled corticosteroids. Methods The 24-week, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group Early MAXimisation of bronchodilation for improving COPD stability (EMAX) trial randomised patients at low exacerbation risk not receiving inhaled corticosteroids, to umeclidinium/vilanterol 62.5/25 μg once-daily, umeclidinium 62.5 μg once-daily or salmeterol 50 μg twice-daily. The primary endpoint was trough forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) at Week 24. The study was also powered for the secondary endpoint of Transition Dyspnoea Index at Week 24. Other efficacy assessments included spirometry, symptoms, heath status and short-term disease worsening measured by the composite endpoint of clinically important deterioration using three definitions. Results Change from baseline in trough FEV1 at Week 24 was 66 mL (95% confidence interval [CI]: 43, 89) and 141 mL (95% CI: 118, 164) greater with umeclidinium/vilanterol versus umeclidinium and salmeterol, respectively (both p < 0.001). Umeclidinium/vilanterol demonstrated consistent improvements in Transition Dyspnoea Index versus both monotherapies at Week 24 (vs umeclidinium: 0.37 [95% CI: 0.06, 0.68], p = 0.018; vs salmeterol: 0.45 [95% CI: 0.15, 0.76], p = 0.004) and all other symptom measures at all time points. Regardless of the clinically important deterioration definition considered, umeclidinium/vilanterol significantly reduced the risk of a first clinically important deterioration compared with umeclidinium (by 16–25% [p < 0.01]) and salmeterol (by 26–41% [p < 0.001]). Safety profiles were similar between treatments. Conclusions Umeclidinium/vilanterol consistently provides early and sustained improvements in lung function and symptoms and reduces the risk of deterioration/treatment failure versus umeclidinium or salmeterol in symptomatic patients with low exacerbation risk not receiving inhaled corticosteroids. These findings suggest a potential for early use of dual bronchodilators to help optimise therapy in this patient group.

scholarly journals Maintained therapeutic effect of revefenacin over 52 weeks in moderate to very severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
James F. Donohue ◽  
Edward Kerwin ◽  
Sanjay Sethi ◽  
Brett Haumann ◽  
Srikanth Pendyala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Inhaled Corticosteroids ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Long Acting

Abstract Background Revefenacin is a long-acting muscarinic antagonist that was recently approved for the nebulized treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although shorter duration studies have documented the efficacy of revefenacin in COPD, longer-term efficacy has not been described. In a recent 52-week safety trial, revefenacin was well tolerated and had a favorable benefit-risk profile. Here we report exploratory efficacy and health outcomes in patients receiving revefenacin 175 μg or 88 μg daily during the 52-week trial. Methods In this randomized, parallel-group, 52-week trial (NCT02518139), 1055 participants with moderate to very severe COPD received revefenacin 175 μg or 88 μg in a double-blind manner, or open-label active control tiotropium. Results Over the 52-week treatment period, both doses of revefenacin, as well as tiotropium, elicited significant (all p < 0.0003) improvements from baseline in trough forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1). The trough FEV1 profile (least squares mean change from baseline) for revefenacin 175 μg ranged from 52.3–124.3 mL and the trough FEV1 profile for tiotropium ranged from 79.7–112.8 mL. In subgroup comparisons, the effect of revefenacin on trough FEV1 was comparable in patients taking concomitant long-acting β-agonists, with or without inhaled corticosteroids, with patients who were not taking these medications. There were statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvements in all measured health status outcomes (evaluated using St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire, COPD Assessment Test, Clinical COPD Questionnaire and Baseline and Transition Dyspnea Index) from 3 months onward, in all treatment arms. Conclusions Significant sustained improvements from baseline in trough FEV1 and respiratory health outcomes were demonstrated for 175-μg revefenacin over 52 weeks, further supporting its use as a once-daily bronchodilator for the nebulized treatment of patients with COPD. Trial registration NCT02518139; Registered 5 August 2015.

Bronchiolitis als mögliche unerwünschte Wirkung von Immuncheckpoint-Inhibitoren

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 152-153
Author(s):  
Nicolas Carlos Kahn
Keyword(s):  
Inhaled Corticosteroids ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Airway Disease ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Functional Improvement ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Dose Prednisone

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been shown to improve overall and progression-free survival in various cancers but have been associated with various immune-related adverse events (IRAEs), including interstitial lung disease, especially organizing pneumonia. We report 2 cases of isolated severe airway disease attributable to ICIs, a rarely reported pattern of lung toxicity. The first patient received nivolumab with or without ipilimumab in a randomized double-blind trial for locoregional metastatic melanoma. The second patient was treated with nivolumab for lung adenocarcinoma. An IRAE was suspected in both cases due to a temporal relationship between ICI initiation and symptom onset. ICIs were stopped, and high-dose prednisone, inhaled corticosteroids, and bronchodilators were administered, allowing a rapid clinical and functional improvement in Patient 1. In Patient 2, despite prolonged high-dose prednisone, only a stabilization of forced expiratory volume in 1 s could be achieved, and the disease course was complicated by respiratory infections resulting in further loss of lung function. The patient died 1 year later due to progression of metastatic disease. These 2 cases suggest that pulmonary IRAEs secondary to ICIs may present as isolated bronchitis or bronchiolitis, with variable outcomes following ICI withdrawal and systemic corticosteroids.

Acute treatment of migraine with the selective 5-HT1F receptor agonist lasmiditan – A randomised proof-of-concept trial

Cephalalgia ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 1170-1178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel D Ferrari ◽  
Markus Färkkilä ◽  
Uwe Reuter ◽  
Alison Pilgrim ◽  
Charles Davis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Events ◽  
Acute Treatment ◽  
Neural Mechanism ◽  
Dose Finding ◽  
Stopping Rules ◽  
Tolerability Profile ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Post Dose ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Clinical Experiments

Introduction: Lasmiditan (COL-144; LY573144) is a novel, highly selective and potent agonist at 5-HT1F receptors that lacks vasoconstrictor activity. Preclinical and early clinical experiments predict acute antimigraine efficacy of COL-144 that is mediated through a non-vascular, primarily neural, mechanism. Subjects and methods: In a randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled, double-blind, group-sequential, adaptive treatment-assignment, proof-of-concept and dose-finding study, we treated 130 subjects in-hospital during a migraine attack. Subjects were allocated to an intravenous dose level of lasmiditan or placebo in small cohorts. The starting dose was 2.5 mg. Subsequent doses were adjusted, up or down, according to the safety and efficacy seen in the preceding cohort. The primary outcome measure was headache response defined as improvement from moderate or severe headache at baseline to mild or no headache at 2 h post-dose. The study was designed to explore the overall dose response relationship but was not powered to differentiate individual doses from placebo, nor to detect effect differences for other migraine symptoms. Results: Forty-two subjects received placebo and 88 received lasmiditan in doses of 2.5–45 mg. Subjects were observed in the clinic for 4 h after treatment and used a diary card to record symptoms and adverse events for up to 24 h. The study was terminated when the 20 mg dose met predefined efficacy stopping rules. Of subjects treated in the 10, 20, 30 and 45 mg lasmiditan dose groups, 54–75% showed a 2 h headache response, compared to 45% in the placebo group ( P = 0.0126 for the linear association between response rates and dose levels). Patient global impression at 2 h and lack of need for rescue medication also showed statistically significant linear correlations with dose. Lasmiditan was generally well tolerated. Adverse events were reported by 65% of subjects on lasmiditan and by 43% on placebo and were generally mild. Dizziness, paresthesia and sensations of heaviness (usually limb) were more common on lasmiditan. Conclusions: At intravenous doses of 20 mg and higher, lasmiditan proved effective in the acute treatment of migraine. Further studies to assess the optimal oral dose and full efficacy and tolerability profile are under way. The non-vascular, neural mechanism of action of lasmiditan may offer an alternative means to treat migraine especially in patients who have contra-indications for agents with vasoconstrictor activity. The clinicaltrials.gov identifier for this study is NCT00384774.

scholarly journals Efficacy of indacaterol/glycopyrronium versus salmeterol/fluticasone in current and ex-smokers: a pooled analysis of IGNITE trials

2020 ◽  
pp. 00816-2020
Author(s):  
David M.G. Halpin ◽  
Claus F. Vogelmeier ◽  
Karen Mezzi ◽  
Pritam Gupta ◽  
Konstantinos Kostikas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rescue Medication ◽  
Inhaled Corticosteroids ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
Medication Use ◽  
Pooled Analysis ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Asthmatic Patients ◽  
St George's Respiratory Questionnaire ◽  
The Difference

Inhaled corticosteroids have proven to be less effective in smoking asthmatic patients; however, there is limited information on the efficacy of inhaled corticosteroid-containing regimens in COPD patients who continue smoking. We evaluate the differential efficacy of once-daily indacaterol/glycopyrronium 110/50 µg compared with twice-daily salmeterol/fluticasone 50/500 µg in current smokers and ex-smokers, with COPD.A pooled analysis of data from ILLUMINATE, LANTERN and FLAME studies, was conducted to assess the efficacy of indacaterol/glycopyrronium compared with salmeterol/fluticasone in current smokers and ex-smokers, with COPD. Efficacy was assessed in terms of improvements in trough forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), transition dyspnoea index (TDI) focal score, St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score, reduced rescue medication use and exacerbation prevention at 26 weeks after the start of the therapy.In total, 1769 (38%) current smokers and 2848 (62%) ex-smokers were included. Patients treated with indacaterol/glycopyrronium experienced greater improvements in trough FEV1versus salmeterol/fluticasone in both current and ex-smokers (least squares mean treatment difference, 105 mL and 78 mL, respectively). Improvements in TDI focal score, SGRQ total score and reduction in rescue medication use were also greater with indacaterol/glycopyrronium versus salmeterol/fluticasone in current and ex-smokers. Further, indacaterol/glycopyrronium reduced all exacerbations (moderate/severe) compared with salmeterol/fluticasone, irrespective of smoking status. The difference in efficacy in favour of indacaterol/glycopyrronium was more prominent in current smokers in most cases.Indacaterol/glycopyrronium demonstrated greater efficacy versus salmeterol/fluticasone and the differences were generally more prominent in current smokers suggesting smoking may reduce the effects of salmeterol/fluticasone.

scholarly journals Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists and Related Compounds

1999 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally E Wenzel
Keyword(s):  
Inhaled Corticosteroids ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Beta Agonist ◽  
Physiological Changes ◽  
Receptor Antagonists ◽  
Asthmatic Patients ◽  
Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists ◽  
Mediators Of Inflammation ◽  
Leukotriene Receptor

Leukotrienes (LTs), lipid mediators of inflammation, have proved to be important biochemicals involved in the symptoms and physiological changes of asthma. In the past year and a half, the development of three new drugs that modulate the LT pathway has been completed. The first subclass of these drugs, leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA) (zafirlukast and montelukast), blocks the interaction of the cysteinyl form of the LTs with the cell type bearing the receptor. The second subclass, the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitors (zileuton) inhibits the 5-LO enzyme, which prevents the formation of both cysteinyl LTs and LTB4. The LT modulators have shown efficacy in inhibiting the physiological changes occurring after allergen, acetylsalicylic acid and exercise challenge in asthmatics. In addition, they have shown efficacy in improving symptoms, beta-agonist use and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) in chronic, ‘day-to-day’ asthma in patients with mild disease. Comparison studies with low doses of inhaled corticosteroids suggest that LT modulators may have similar effects on symptom scores and beta-agonist use, but have lesser effects on FEV1. Finally, emerging data suggest that these drugs are beneficial in decreasing the dose of inhaled corticosteroids necessary to control more moderate to severe asthma. While long term studies will be helpful in determining the ‘disease modifying’ effects of these drugs, data suggest that these drugs are useful in the treatment of a broad range of asthmatic patients.

β 2-Adrenoceptor polymorphism and bronchoprotective sensitivity with regular short- and long-acting β2-agonist therapy

1999 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 253-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. LIPWORTH ◽  
I. P. HALL ◽  
I. AZIZ ◽  
K. S. TAN ◽  
A. WHEATLEY
Keyword(s):  
Inhaled Corticosteroids ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Geometric Means ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Regular Treatment ◽  
Parallel Group ◽  
Long Acting ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Β2 Agonist

The aim of the present study was to investigate bronchoprotective sensitivity in patients receiving regular treatment with short- and long-acting β2-agonists and to evaluate any possible association with genetic polymorphism. Thirty-eight patients with stable mild to moderate asthma and receiving inhaled corticosteroids were randomized in a parallel group, double-blind, double-dummy fashion to receive 2 weeks of treatment with either formoterol (12μg once daily, 6μg twice daily or 24μg twice daily) or terbutaline (500μg four times daily). Bronchoprotection against methacholine challenge (as a provocative dose to produce a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1.0 ;s: PD20) was measured at baseline (unprotected) after an initial 1 week run-in without β2-agonist, and at 1 ;h after the first and last doses of each treatment. The PD20 values were log-transformed and calculated as change from baseline. Percentage desensitization of log PD20 for first- versus last-dose bronchoprotection was calculated and analysed according to effects of treatment and β2-adrenoceptor polymorphism at codon 16 or 27. The mean degree of desensitization for bronchoprotection was comparable with all four treatments and there were no significant differences in absolute PD20 values after 2 weeks of chronic dosing. The PD20 values were (as μg of methacholine, geometric means±S.E.M.): formoterol, 12μg once daily, 99±42μg; formoterol, 6μg twice daily, 107±44μg; formoterol, 24μg twice daily, 108±45μg; terbutaline, 500μg four times daily, 88±37μg. All patients receiving formoterol, 24μg twice daily, exhibited a loss of protection greater than 30% which was unrelated to polymorphism at codon 16 or 27. For codon 16, the use of lower doses of formoterol (12μg once daily or 6μg twice daily) showed wider variability in the propensity for protection loss in patients who were heterozygous, in contrast to a more uniform protection loss seen with homozygous glycine patients. The amount of protection loss was not significantly related to polymorphism at codon 16 or 27, expressed as values (mean±S.E.M.) for percentage desensitization according to each genotype (pooled treatments): Gly-16, 66±11%; Het-16, 53±8%; Arg-16, 69±18%; Glu-27, 68±12%; Het-27, 58±8%; Gln-27, 52±12%. The results of this preliminary study showed that bronchoprotective desensitization occurred readily in response to short- or long-acting β2-agonist exposure irrespective of β2-adrenoceptor polymorphism at codon 16 or 27. Further studies with larger patient numbers are required to further evaluate the effects of polymorphisms with lower doses of regular formoterol.

Effects of bronchodilator particle size in asthmatic patients using monodisperse aerosols

2003 ◽  
Vol 95 (5) ◽  
pp. 2106-2112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar S. Usmani ◽  
Martyn F. Biddiscombe ◽  
Julia A. Nightingale ◽  
S. Richard Underwood ◽  
Peter J. Barnes
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Plasma Potassium ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Dose Inhaler ◽  
Therapeutic Drug ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Asthmatic Patients ◽  
Metered Dose ◽  
Aerosol Particle Size ◽  
Forced Expiratory Flow

Aerosol particle size influences airway drug deposition. Current inhaler devices are inefficient, delivering a heterodisperse distribution of drug particle sizes where, at best, 20% reaches the lungs. Monodisperse aerosols are the appropriate research tools to investigate basic aerosol science concepts within the human airways. We hypothesized that engineering such aerosols of albuterol would identify the ideal bronchodilator particle size, thereby optimizing inhaled therapeutic drug delivery. Eighteen stable mildly to moderately asthmatic patients [mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) 74.3% of predicted] participated in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study design. A spinning-top aerosol generator was used to produce monodisperse albuterol aerosols that were 1.5, 3, and 6 μm in size, and also a placebo, which were inhaled at cumulative doses of 10, 20, 40, and 100 μg. Lung function changes and tolerability effects were determined. The larger particles, 6 and 3 μm, were significantly more potent bronchodilators than the 1.5-μm and placebo aerosols for FEV1and for the forced expiratory flow between exhalation of 25 and 75% of forced vital capacity. A 20-μg dose of the 6- and 3-μm aerosols produced FEV1bronchodilation comparable to that produced by 200 μg from a metered-dose inhaler. No adverse effects were observed in heart rate and plasma potassium. The data suggest that in mildly to moderately asthmatic patients there is more than one optimal β2-agonist bronchodilator particle size and that these are larger particles in the higher part of the respirable range. Aerosols delivered in monodisperse form can enable large reductions of the inhaled dose without loss of clinical efficacy.

scholarly journals Salmeterol and Airway Response to Allergen

1997 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald W Cockcroft ◽  
Veronica A Swystun ◽  
Rajesh Bhagat ◽  
Sanjay Kalra
Keyword(s):  
Inhaled Corticosteroids ◽  
Day Treatment ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Airway Responsiveness ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Regular Treatment ◽  
Beta Agonists ◽  
Randomized Crossover Trial ◽  
Airway Response

BACKGROUND: Regular treatment with inhaled salbutamol (seven to 14 days) increases airway responsiveness to allergen.OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of salmeterol 50 µg twice daily for six days on the early asthmatic response to allergen (PC15).DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized, crossover trial comparing salmeterol with placebo (twice daily over six days) with one week or more washout. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and allergen PC15were measured 36 h after each treatment was discontinued.SETTING: Tertiary care out-patient bronchoprovocation laboratory.SUBJECTS: Fourteen atopic asthmatics well controlled with (n=5) or without (n=9) inhaled corticosteroids. Subjects did not use inhaled beta-agonists for at least two weeks before and during the trial.RESULTS: FEV1was slightly but significantly lower 36 h after the last dose of salmeterol versus placebo (3.28±0.83 versus 3.40±0.88 L, P=0.032). Airway responsiveness to allergen increased by about half a doubling concentration (log10PC152.71±0.61 versus 2.85±0.61, P=0.047).CONCLUSION: A six-day treatment course of salmeterol 50 μg twice daily resulted in a slight decline in FEV1and a modest increase in airway response to allergen at 36 h.

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