A multicentre comparison of the efficacy of terbutaline Turbuhaler and salbutamol pressurized metered dose inhaler in hot, humid regions

• Published in: The European respiratory journal Vol. 7; no. 2; pp. 342 - 345
• Main Authors: Lindsay, DA, Russell, NL, Thompson, JE, Warnock, TH, Shellshear, ID, Buchanan, PR
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Leeds Eur Respiratory Soc 01.02.1994; Maney
• Subjects: Aerosols; Albuterol - administration & dosage; Albuterol - therapeutic use; Asthma - drug therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Female; Hot Temperature; Humans; Humidity; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nebulizers and Vaporizers; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Queensland; Respiratory system; Terbutaline - administration & dosage; Terbutaline - therapeutic use; Queensland; Human; Chemotherapy; Treatment; Respiratory disease; Bronchodilator; Treatment efficiency; Humidity; Obstructive pulmonary disease; Comparative study; Asthma; Inhalation
• ISSN: 0903-1936; 1399-3003
• DOI: 10.1183/09031936.94.07020342

Twenty seven adults and 20 children with previously diagnosed stable asthma, using a salbutamol pressurized metered dose inhaler (P-MDI) and living in Cairns, Townsville and Southport, Queensland, Australia participated in a randomized, open-label cross-over comparison of terbutaline administered via Turbuhaler and salbutamol administered via P-MDI. The aim of the study was to compare the clinical effectiveness and patient acceptance of the two treatments in hot, humid regions. Terbutaline was administered via Turbuhaler and salbutamol via P-MDI on at least two occasions per day during each four week treatment period. Spirometry was performed at the start of the study, after the two week run-in and at the end of each treatment period. Patients used diary cards to record morning and evening peak expiratory flows, daily symptom scores and daily intake of beta 2 agonist medication. At the end of the study, patients answered a treatment preference question. Forty six patients completed the study. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two treatments in peak expiratory flow, change in morning peak expiratory flow pre- and post-beta-agonist, daily symptom scores, diurnal variability and spirometry. Forty four percent of patients preferred the terbutaline Turbuhaler and 39% preferred salbutamol P-MDI. Both agents were similarly tolerated. Terbutaline delivered by Turbuhaler is as clinically effective as salbutamol delivered by P-MDI in patients with asthma living in hot, humid regions.