Reduced protection against exercise induced bronchoconstriction after chronic dosing with salmeterol

• Published in: Respiratory medicine Vol. 88; no. 5; pp. 363 - 368
• Main Authors: Ramage, L., Lipworth, B.J., Ingram, C.G., Cree, I.A., Dhillon, D.P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.05.1994; Elsevier
• Subjects: Administration, Inhalation; Adolescent; Adrenergic beta-Agonists - administration & dosage; Adult; Albuterol - administration & dosage; Albuterol - analogs & derivatives; Asthma, Exercise-Induced - physiopathology; Asthma, Exercise-Induced - prevention & control; Biological and medical sciences; Bronchodilator Agents - administration & dosage; Double-Blind Method; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Tolerance; Female; Forced Expiratory Volume - drug effects; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Respiratory system; Salmeterol Xinafoate; Physical exercise; Human; Chemotherapy; Treatment; Respiratory disease; Bronchodilator; β2-Adrenergic receptor; β-Adrenergic receptor agonist; Application method; Asthma; Inhalation; Dose activity relation
• ISSN: 0954-6111; 1532-3064
• DOI: 10.1016/0954-6111(94)90042-6

The purpose of the present study was to assess the degree of protection of inhaled salmeterol against exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) after chronic compared with single dosing in patients with asthma. Twelve patients with exercise-induced asthma took part in a randomized double-blind crossover study to compare the duration of action of inhaled salmeterol 50 μg twice daily for 4 weeks with that of placebo. A standardized exercise test was performed at 6 h and 12 h after dosing on the first and last day of each treatment period. Salmeterol produced significant protection against EIB at 6 and 12 h after the first dose in comparison with placebo, whereas there was no significant attenuation of EIB after 4 weeks of chronic treatment with salmeterol. The percentage fall in FEV 1 after exercise challenge at 6 h was (first dose): placebo 34·8 ± 4·9% vs. salmeterol 11·9 ± 2·8% ( P<0·05); (4 weeks): placebo 32·9 ± 5·3% vs. salmeterol 24·0 ± 4·4% ( ns). These results suggest that tachyphylaxis may develop to the functional antagonism of salmeterol against EIB.