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A new inhalation exposure system for the determination of inhaled doses in laboratory rats.

A new inhalation exposure system has been developed which allows the determination of inhaled doses of vapors and gases by laboratory rats. The system consists of saran bags connected to head-only exposure cylinders via one-way valves. One bag serves as the source of contaminant and another receives expired air. The exposure cylinders also serve as whole body plethysmographs. Up to three rats can be exposed concurrently to the same concentration of test material. The construction of the system and its use for inhalation exposures to a direct-acting radiolabeled carcinogen are described.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Effect of inhaled azodicarbonamide on F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice with 2-week and 13-week inhalation exposures.

Azodicarbonamide (ADA), a compound used in the baking and plastics industries, has been reported to cause pulmonary sensitization and dermatitis in people. Two-week repeated and 13-week subchronic inhalation exposures of F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice to ADA were conducted to determine the toxicity of inhaled ADA. The mean air concentrations of ADA in the 2-week studies were 207, 102, 52, 9.4, or 2.0 mg/m3. No exposure-related mortality nor abnormal clinical signs were observed in rats or mice during or after exposure. The terminal body weights were slightly depressed in the highest exposure group. Liver weights were lower in male rats exposed to 200 mg ADA/m3. No significant lesions were noted on either gross or histologic evaluation of rats or mice. In the 13-week subchronic study, the mean air concentrations of ADA were 204, 100, or 50 mg/m3. No mortality or clinical signs related to exposure were observed. The terminal body weights of exposed rats were not significantly different from those of control rats but were significantly depressed in mice exposed to 100 or 200 mg ADA/m3. No histopathological lesions were noted in mice. Lung weights were increased and enlarged mediastinal and/or tracheobronchial lymph nodes were noted in rats exposed to 50 mg ADA/m3. No exposure-related lesions were observed microscopically in rats exposed to 100 or 200 mg ADA/m3. All rats in the 50 mg ADA/m3 exposure group only had lung lesions that consisted of perivascular cuffing with lymphocytes and a multifocal type II cell hyperplasia, suggesting a possible immune reaction to an antigen in the lung. Viral titers for rats exposed to 50 mg ADA/m3 were negative for Sendai virus and pneumonia virus of mice, which produce similar lesions. The possibility of an unknown viral antigen causing this lesion cannot be eliminated. Lung tissue from male rats was analyzed for ADA and biurea, the major metabolite of ADA. No ADA was detected. The amount of biurea in the lungs increased nonlinearly with increasing exposure concentration, suggesting that clearance was somewhat impaired with repeated exposures. However, even at the highest exposure concentration, this amount of biurea was less than 1% of the estimated total ADA deposited over the exposure period. In summary, ADA is rapidly cleared from the lungs, even when inhaled at concentrations up to 200 mg/m3. Exposure to ADA for up to 13 weeks did not appear to be toxic to rodents.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Efficacy, tolerability, and effect on asthma-related quality of life of formoterol bid via multidose dry powder inhaler and albuterol QID via metered dose inhaler in patients with persistent asthma: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study.

BACKGROUND: Inhaled beta(2)-agonists are widely used in asthma treatment. The design limitations of pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) have prompted the development of dry powder inhalers (DPIs) for the delivery of asthma medications. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, and effect on asthma-related quality of life (QOL) of a long-acting beta(2)-adrenoreceptor agonist, formoterol, delivered via multidose DPI, compared with albuterol delivered via pMDI or placebo in adolescents and adults with persistent asthma. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study was conducted in outpatient clinics at 18 US centers. Adolescents and adults with persistent asthma received formoterol 10 pg BID via multidose DPI, albuterol 180 microg QID via pMDI, or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy variable was the 12-hour AUC of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) after 12 weeks treatment. Secondary efficacy variables included asthma-related QOL, asthma symptom scores, rescue medication use, and other pulmonary function measures. RESULTS: A total of 239 patients (147 females, 92 males; age range, 13-85 years) with persistent asthma were enrolled (formoterol, n = 80; albuterol, n = 79; placebo, n = 80). Formoterol delivered via the multidose DPI resulted in clinically relevant and statistically significant increases in 12-hour AUC of FEV(1) after 12 weeks of treatment compared with albuterol pMDI and placebo (P < 0.019 and P < 0.001, respectively). Asthma-related QOL (total score) was significantly improved with formoterol treatment compared with placebo (P < 0.015). Nocturnal asthma symptom scores significantly improved with formoterol compared with albuterol and placebo (P < 0.001 and P < 0.003, respectively) and rescue medication use was significantly less with formoterol compared with albuterol and placebo (P < 0.004 and P < 0.002, respectively). Treatment with formoterol was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: In this study of adolescents and adults with persistent asthma, 12 weeks of treatment with formoterol 10 microg BID delivered via a multidose DPI provided significantly greater 24-hour bronchodilation compared with albuterol and placebo and resulted in significant improvements in asthma-related QOL compared with placebo. Formoterol was well tolerated in these patients.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Efficacy of budesonide inhalation suspension in infants and young children with persistent asthma. Budesonide Inhalation Suspension Study Group.

This paper reviews the results from 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter studies that assessed the efficacy and safety of once- and twice-daily dosing of budesonide inhalation suspension (BIS) in infants and young children with persistent asthma. In children with mild persistent asthma that was previously treated with bronchodilators or noncorticosteroid anti-inflammatory agents (study A), nighttime and daytime asthma symptoms were significantly improved in 0.25-mg once daily, 0.5-mg once daily, and 1.0-mg once daily BIS treatment groups compared with placebo (P </=. 05). Rescue medications were used significantly less in all BIS groups (approximately 2 days of every 14 days) compared with placebo (P <.05). The proportion of patients who discontinued this therapy because of worsening asthma was greater in the placebo group than in the BIS groups, with the difference between placebo (23%) and the 1. 0-mg BIS group (13%) being statistically significant (P =.020). All BIS doses except 0.5 mg once daily showed nonsignificant numeric improvement in morning and evening peak expiratory flow (PEF) compared with placebo. In children with asthma that was previously treated with inhaled corticosteroids (study B), BIS doses of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, and 1.0 mg twice daily resulted in significant improvements in nighttime symptoms scores versus placebo (P </=.026). Rescue medications were used significantly less in all BIS groups (approximately 2.5 to 3.5 days of every 14 days) compared with placebo (P </=.032). The proportion of patients receiving placebo who discontinued therapy because of worsening asthma symptoms (36%) was significantly greater compared with the BIS groups (9%; P </=. 015). Morning PEF levels were significantly greater in each BIS group compared with placebo (P </=.03). For evening PEF levels, all BIS treatment groups showed numeric improvements compared with placebo; the 0.25-mg twice daily budesonide group showed statistically significant improvement (P <.05). In children with moderate persistent asthma that was previously maintained either on bronchodilators or inhaled corticosteroids (study C), nighttime asthma symptoms significantly improved in the 0.25-mg twice daily, 0. 5-mg twice daily, and 1.0-mg once daily BIS groups compared with placebo (P <.01); there was a numeric improvement for the 0.25-mg once daily treatment group. Rescue medications were used significantly less in all BIS groups (approximately 2 to 3 days of every 14 days) compared with placebo (P </=.014). The proportion of patients who discontinued treatment because of worsening of asthma symptoms was greater in the placebo group than in the BIS groups; the difference between 0.25-mg twice daily group (13%) and the placebo group (26%) was statistically significant (P =.029). All BIS doses showed numeric improvement in morning PEF levels, and statistically significant improvements were observed in the 0.25-mg twice daily, 0.5-mg twice daily, and 1.0-mg once daily groups compared with placebo (P <.03). Significant improvements in evening PEF levels were observed for each BIS treatment group (P </=.034), except for the 1.0-mg once daily group. Overall, the 3 studies show that once- and twice-daily dosing of BIS effectively relieves asthma symptoms and improves pulmonary function in infants and young children with mild-to-severe persistent asthma.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Air classifier technology (ACT) in dry powder inhalation. Part 2. The effect of lactose carrier surface properties on the drug-to-carrier interaction in adhesive mixtures for inhalation.

The effect of carrier surface properties on drug particle detachment from carrier crystals during inhalation with a special test inhaler with basic air classifier has been studied for mixtures containing 0.4% budesonide. Carrier crystals were retained in the classifier during inhalation and subsequently examined for the amount of residual drug (carrier residue: CR). Carrier surface roughness and impurity were varied within the range of their appearance in standard grades of lactose (Pharmatose 80, 100, 110, 150 and 200M) by making special sieve fractions. It was found that roughness and impurity, both per unit calculated surface area (CSA), tend to increase with increasing mean fraction diameter for the carrier. Drug re-distribution experiments with two different carrier sieve fractions with distinct mean diameters showed that the amount of drug per CSA (drug load) in the state of equilibrium is highest for the coarsest fraction. This seems to confirm that surface carrier irregularities are places where drug particles preferentially accumulate. However, a substantial increase in surface roughness and impurity appears to be necessary to cause only a minor increase in CR at an inspiratory flow rate of 30 l/min through a classifier. At 60 l/min, CR is practically independent of the carrier surface properties. From the difference in CR between 30 and 60 l/min, it has been concluded that particularly the highest adhesive forces (for the largest drug particles) in the mixture are increased when coarser carrier fractions (with higher rugosity) are used. Not only increased surface roughness and impurities may be responsible for an increase in the adhesive forces between drug and carrier particles when coarser carrier fractions are used, but also bulk properties may play a role. With increasing mean carrier diameter, inertial and frictional forces during mixing are increased too, resulting in higher press-on forces with which the drug particles are attached to carrier crystals and to each other.

Adhesives↗

Variability in lung deposition of inhaled drug, within and between asthmatic patients, with a pMDI and a dry powder inhaler, Turbuhaler.

In vitro analysis of inhaled formulations measures, among other parameters, the variability in delivered dose, while a corresponding in vivo analysis also includes the variability caused by patient performance and distribution of drug between the oropharynx and the lungs. In vitro, the dose variability is higher for Turbuhaler(R) than for the corresponding pMDI, whereas in vivo, the converse is true: the variability in lung deposition is significantly higher, both between and within subjects, for pMDI than for Turbuhaler. The observation can be due to several factors such as the non-continuous working principle of inhalation via pMDI as opposed to the continuous working principle of inhalation via Turbuhaler.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Methanol inhalation: site and other factors influencing absorption, and an inhalation toxicokinetic model for the rat.

PURPOSE: This investigation was conducted to identify the site and characteristics of methanol absorption and to develop an inhalation model relating methanol absorption, blood concentration, and elimination. METHODS: Rats were exposed to methanol in chambers that allowed measurement of methanol uptake, ventilation, and blood concentrations; anesthetized rats with a tracheal cannula were examined to determine tracheal concentrations. In separate experiments, methanol exposed rats received an iv methanol bolus to examine the effect of blood methanol on ventilation and absorption; ventilation also was manipulated by CO(2) or pentobarbital to assess the effect of ventilation rate on methanol absorption. These data were combined to construct a semi-physiologic model of methanol uptake. RESULTS: Only 1-3 percent of inhaled methanol reached the trachea, primarily from systemic methanol partitioning into the trachea; blood methanol did not alter methanol absorption. Manipulation of ventilation and application of the pharmacokinetic model indicated that ventilation was less significant than environmental methanol concentration in determining the fraction of inhaled methanol absorbed, although both parameters were important determinants of the total mass absorbed. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that methanol uptake is a complex process that depends upon several parameters. Despite these complexities, a relatively simple semi-physiologic model was capable of describing methanol uptake over a wide range of exposure concentrations in the rat.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Comparison of combination inhalers vs inhaled corticosteroids alone in moderate persistent asthma.

AIMS: Inhalers combining long acting beta2-adrenoceptor agonists (LABA) and corticosteroids (ICS) are indicated at Step 3 of current asthma guidelines. We evaluated the relative effects of LABA + ICS combination vs ICS alone on pulmonary function, bronchoprotection, acute salbutamol recovery following methacholine bronchial challenge, and surrogate inflammatory markers in patients with moderate persistent asthma. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with mean FEV1 (+/- SEM) of 78 +/- 3% predicted completed a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, cross-over study. Patients received either 4 weeks of budesonide 400 microg + formoterol 12 microg (BUD + FM) combination twice daily followed by 1 week of BUD 400 microg alone twice daily, or 4 weeks of fluticasone propionate 250 microg + salmeterol 50 microg (FP + SM) combination twice daily followed by 1 week of FP 250 microg alone twice daily. Measurements were made at baseline and following each randomized treatment. RESULTS: FEV1 increase from pretreatment baseline as mean (+/- SEM) % predicted was significantly higher (P < 0.05) for BUD + FM (8 +/- 1%) vs BUD (2 +/- 1%), and for FP + SM (8 +/- 1%) vs FP (2 +/- 1%). The fall in FEV1 following methacholine challenge as percentage change from prechallenge baseline FEV1 was not significantly different in all four groups; BUD + FM (22 +/- 1%), BUD (24 +/- 1%), FP + SM (23 +/- 1%) and FP (23 +/- 1%). Salbutamol recovery over 30 min following methacholine challenge as area under curve (AUC %.min) was significantly blunted (P < 0.05) with BUD + FM (486.7 +/- 35.5) vs BUD (281.1 +/- 52.8), and with FP + SM (553.1 +/- 34.1) vs FP (368.3 +/- 46.7). There were no significant differences between respective combination inhalers or between respective ICS alone. Decreases in exhaled nitric oxide (NO) and serum eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) from baseline were not significantly different between treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Combination inhalers improve pulmonary function without potentiating anti-inflammatory effects on exhaled NO and serum ECP as compared with ICS alone, but delay acute salbutamol recovery after bronchoconstriction.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Efficacy and safety overview of a new inhaled corticosteroid, QVAR (hydrofluoroalkane-beclomethasone extrafine inhalation aerosol), in asthma.

Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-containing inhalers are gradually being phased out and replaced with hydrofluoroalkane (HFA)-based alternatives. The reformulation provided the opportunity to improve the inhalation technology and physical characteristics of corticosteroid formulations. QVAR contains HFA-beclomethasone dipropionate (HFA-BDP) with the steroid in solution rather than suspension, which, in combination with improved inhaler technology, produces an extrafine aerosol with a mass median aerodynamic diameter of 1.1 microm (smaller than the 3.5-4.0 microm found with CFC-BDP). It was predicted and demonstrated that the smaller particle size of QVAR would be deposited in the lung to a greater extent than that found with CFC-BDP, particularly in the small airway, a major site of inflammation. Increased lung deposition of QVAR permits a reduction in dosage relative to CFC-BDP. Clinical evidence confirms that adult and elderly patients required approximately half the dose of QVAR to achieve the same degree of asthma control as with CFC-BDP. In long-term assessments, patients taking CFC-BDP could be switched to QVAR at half the daily dose without exacerbation of their asthma symptoms. QVAR was associated with a low overall incidence of side effects and, at the maximum recommended dose of 640 microg/d, caused no more adrenal suppression than 672 microg/d CFC-BDP.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Inhaled prostacyclin for term infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension refractory to inhaled nitric oxide.

We report the use of inhaled prostacyclin (PGI(2)) in 4 neonates with persistent pulmonary hypertension and hypoxemia refractory to inhaled nitric oxide. Oxygenation rapidly improved after inhalation of PGI(2) in all infants. The condition of one infant subsequently deteriorated, and alveolar capillary dysplasia was found at autopsy. The surviving infants were discharged with normal oxygen saturations in room air.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Nasal dosimetry of inhaled gases and particles: where do inhaled agents go in the nose?

The anatomical structure of the nasal passages differs significantly among species, affecting airflow and the transport of inhaled gases and particles throughout the respiratory tract. Since direct measurement of local nasal dose is often difficult, 3-dimensional, anatomically accurate, computational models of the rat, monkey, and human nasal passages were developed to estimate regional transport and dosimetry of inhaled material. The computational models predicted that during resting breathing, a larger portion of inspired air passed through olfactory-lined regions in the rat than in the monkey or human. The models also predicted that maximum wall mass flux (mass per surface area per time) of inhaled formaldehyde in the nonsquamous epithelium was highest in monkeys (anterior middle turbinate) and similar in rats and humans (dorsal medial meatus in the rat and mid-septum in the human, near the squamous/nonsquamous epithelial boundary in both species). For particles that are 5 microm in aerodynamic diameter, preliminary simulations at minute volume flow rates predicted nasal deposition efficiencies of 92%, 11% and 25% in the rat, monkey, and human, respectively, with more vestibular deposition in the rat than in the monkey or human. Estimates such as these can be used to test hypotheses about mechanisms of toxicity and supply species-specific information for risk assessment, thus reducing uncertainty in extrapolating animal data to humans.

Animals↗

Smoke inhalation and airway management at a regional burn unit: 1974-1983. Part I: Diagnosis and consequences of smoke inhalation.

Victims of smoke inhalation with and without burns and burn patients with respiratory insufficiency for reasons other than smoke at a regional burn unit are profiled in terms of age, burn size, length of stay, and mortality. The diagnostic characteristics of patients with an inhalation injury (N = 108) are listed; 7% of all patients (N = 52) have known smoke exposure with equivocal evidence for injury to the airway or pulmonary parenchyma. The degree of respiratory (visceral) failure experienced by patients with inhalation injury is not uniformly severe. Many of the clues to this diagnosis are indirect and not always related to the severity of pulmonary injury. Timing and degree of visceral failure control the severity of the injury, which increases progressively from that in patients with a burn only (parietal injury) through those with a visceral injury only (smoke without burn), those with both smoke and burn, to those with a burn and uniformly severe respiratory failure on the basis of sepsis.

Adult↗

Inhibition of inhaled metabisulphite-induced bronchoconstriction by inhaled frusemide and ipratropium bromide.

1. The effect of inhaled frusemide and high dose inhaled ipratropium bromide on bronchoconstriction induced by inhaled metabisulphite was studied in 10 atopic volunteers. 2. Frusemide (40 mg), ipratropium bromide (0.5 mg) or saline placebo were administered by nebuliser in a double-blind fashion, prior to construction of a dose-response curve to metabisulphite (2.5-100 mg ml-1). 3. Geometric mean of the provocative dose of metabisulphite that caused a 35% fall in specific airways resistance (sGaw) after placebo was 13 (95% confidence intervals CI 4-36 mumol) compared with 36 (16-78) mumol after ipratropium bromide and 45 (22-94) mumol after frusemide. 4. Mean maximum fall in sGaw was 49 (40-57)% after placebo, 11 (0-22)% after frusemide and -1 (-25-22)% after ipratropium bromide. 5. Frusemide significantly protected against metabisulphite induced bronchoconstriction (P less than 0.005). The protection from high dose ipratropium bromide was also significant (P less than 0.05), but the response was more variable between subjects.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Local side-effects during 4-year treatment with inhaled corticosteroids--a comparison between pressurized metered-dose inhalers and Turbuhaler.

Local side-effects, such as hoarseness and oropharyngeal candidiasis, are often seen during treatment of patients with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). We investigated whether changing from pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDI) to Turbuhaler influenced the type and frequency of local side-effects. Local side-effects were recorded for a 2-year period in which 154 patients used ICS pMDI with a spacer device. They were followed for an equally long period of time (26.2 +/- 5.7 months) while using Turbuhaler, as were 90 patients who received Turbuhaler as their first ICS preparation. After inhalation, all patients rinsed out their mouths with water. In experienced pMDI-users, the frequency of local side-effects decreased from 21% to 6%. The reduction was due to a lower incidence of hoarseness. Candidiasis or hoarseness was not seen in patients given Turbuhaler as their first ICS device. Our fear of an increased incidence of local side-effects when giving ICS in Turbuhaler was unwarranted.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Inhalational poisoning by botulinum toxin and inhalation vaccination with its heavy-chain component.

Botulinum toxin is the etiologic agent responsible for the disease botulism, which is characterized by peripheral neuromuscular blockade. Botulism is ordinarily encountered as a form of oral poisoning. The toxin is absorbed from the lumen of the gut to reach the general circulation and is then distributed to peripheral cholinergic nerve endings. However, there is a widespread presumption that botulinum toxin can also act as an inhalation poison, which would require that it be absorbed from the airway. Experiments have been done to show that both pure toxin and progenitor toxin (a complex with auxiliary proteins) are inhalation poisons. Interestingly, the data indicate that auxiliary proteins are not necessary to protect the toxin or to facilitate its absorption. When studied on rat primary alveolar epithelial cells or on immortalized human pulmonary adenocarcinoma (Calu-3) cells, botulinum toxin displayed both specific binding and transcytosis. The rate of transport was greater in the apical-to-basolateral direction than in the basolateral-to-apical direction. Transcytosis was energy dependent, and it was blocked by serotype-specific antibody. The results demonstrated that the holotoxin was not essential for the process of binding and transcytosis. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that the heavy-chain component of the toxin was transported across epithelial monolayers, which indicates that the structural determinants governing binding and transcytosis are found in this fragment. The heavy chain was not toxic, and therefore it was tested for utility as an inhalation vaccine against the parent molecule. This fragment was shown to evoke complete protection against toxin doses of at least 10(4) times the 50% lethal dose.

Absorption↗

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of inhaled fluticasone propionate 200 micrograms/day with inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate 400 micrograms/day in mild and moderate asthma.

This study was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of a new inhaled corticosteroid, fluticasone propionate at a total daily dose of 200 micrograms, with beclomethasone dipropionate 400 micrograms/day in childhood asthma. A total of 398 asthmatic children (aged 4-19 years) were randomised to receive either fluticasone propionate 200 micrograms daily or beclomethasone dipropionate 400 micrograms daily for six weeks inhaled via a spacer device from a metered dose inhaler. During the study the patients recorded morning and evening peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), symptom scores, and use of beta 2 agonist rescue medication. In addition, clinic visit PEFR and forced expiratory volume in one second were measured. Safety was assessed by recording all adverse events and by performing routine biochemistry and haematology screens including plasma cortisol concentration before and after treatment. For the purposes of analysis the diary card data were grouped into three periods: week 3 (days 15-21), week 6 (days 36-42), and weeks 1-6 (days 1-42). The results showed no significant difference between treatments on most efficacy parameters. However, there were significant differences in changes from baseline in favour of fluticasone propionate for % predicted morning PEFR both at week 3 (fluticasone propionate 6.1%, beclomethasone dipropionate 3.9%) and at week 6 (fluticasone propionate 8.3%, beclomethasone dipropionate 5. 9%) and % predicted evening PEFR at week 6 (fluticasone propionate 7.3%, beclomethasone dipropionate 4.9% and over weeks 1-6 (fluticasone propionate 5.5%, beclomethasone dipropionate 3.6%. Comparison between groups showed that the group receiving fluticasone propionate had a lower % of days with symptom-free exercise at week 6 (fluticasone propionate 87%, beclomethasone dipropionate 81%) and % days without rescue medication at week 6 (fluticasone propionate 87%, beclomethasone dipropionate 80%) and over weeks 1-6 (fluticasone propionate 80%, beclomethasone dipropionate 73%). Except for a higher incidence of sore throat in the fluticasone propionate group, the two treatments did not differ with regard to safety. There was no evidence of adrenal suppression with either treatment. In conclusion, fluticasone propionate 200 microgram daily ws at least as effective and as well tolerated as beclomethasone dipropionate 400 microgram daily in childhood asthma.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Comparison of the bronchodilator effects of salbutamol delivered via a metered-dose inhaler with spacer, a dry-powder inhaler, and a jet nebulizer in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The aim of this study was to compare the bronchodilator effects of salbutamol delivered via three different devices: a dry-powder inhaler (DPI), a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with a large-volume spacer and a jet nebulizer (NEB) in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Ten male patients with stable COPD [age: 67.2 +/- 3.8 years, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1): 1.56 +/- 0.32 liters] were studied in a randomized, double-blind and crossover manner. Each patient received 200 or 1, 000 microg salbutamol via an MDI with an InspirEaseTM spacer, a RotahalerTM, or a DeVilbiss 646(TM) nebulizer (NEB), or matching placebo on 7 separate days. Spirometry was performed before and 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 240 min after inhalation. With the 200- microg dose, only DPI produced a small but greater response in maximum FEV1 and in area under the time-response curve (AUC-FEV1) compared with placebo. With the 1,000- microg dose, DPI and MDI produced equally greater improvements in both maximum FEV1 and AUC-FEV1 than NEB. An equal bronchodilating effect can be obtained using either DPI or MDI with a spacer device, whereas the NEB was less effective when the same dose was administered.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Equivalence of two steroid-containing inhalers: easyhaler multidose powder inhaler compared with conventional aerosol with large-volume spacer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: An equivalence study was conducted in which the efficacy and safety of a daily dose of 800 microgram of beclomethasone diproprionate administered via a multidose powder inhaler, Easyhaler, and via a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with a large-volume spacer were compared in adult, newly diagnosed, steroid-naive asthmatic patients. Acceptability of the medications was also compared. METHODS: One hundred and forty-four patients were recruited into the double-blind, double-dummy, randomised, parallel-group multicentre study. The study treatment period was 8 weeks. It was preceded by a 2-week run-in period. Morning and evening peak expiratory flow (PEF), numbers of inhalations of a sympathomimetic and asthma symptoms were recorded daily. Spirometry and histamine challenge were performed, and health-related quality of life and morning serum cortisol levels measured during control visits. RESULTS: Criteria indicating treatment equivalence were met. The mean of the primary outcome variable, morning PEF, increased significantly, from 426 to 461 litres/min in the Easyhaler group and from 436 to 467 litres/min in the MDI+spacer group. Similar improvements between groups were also seen in relation to all secondary variables. Changes in serum cortisol levels were minor. In 6 out of 10 questions about device acceptability, the majority of patients rated Easyhaler as better than the MDI+spacer combination. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the devices tested were equivalent in terms of efficacy and safety.

Administration, Inhalation↗