EFFICACY OF FORMOTEROL METERED AEROSOL IN CHILDREN

To evaluate the effect of formoterol MDI (F) in the treatment of bronchial childhood asthma, five studies were performed in a total of 66 young asthmatics. In single-dose studies with 12 μg, F showed a rapid onset of action and in comparison to salbutamol a four-times-longer-lasting bronchospasmolytic effect (BSL). In addition, we looked at the BSL and the protective effect (P) in exercise-induced asthma (EIA) after 6, 12, and 24 μg. The BSL was not significantly different with respect to onset, magnitude, and duration of action, nor was the P, yet the latter seemed to be superior at 2 and 8 h after 24 μg. In a long-term study with 2 × 12 μg the patients' clinical well-being could be improved while drug consumption decreased. During another 3-month monotherapy with 2 × 12 μg the P in histamine- and cold air challenge was investigated and compared to prestudy values. It could be shown that long-lasting BSL and P did not diminish. Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest an improvement of bronchial hyperresponsiveness after withdrawal of F. © 1990 Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.