Abstract
The efficacy of salbutamol dry powder, administered via two different powder inhalers, a new multidose system and a single-dose system, was studied in 13 children with exercise-induced asthma. Salbutamol, at a single dose of 200 μg, and matched placebo, both administered via the two powder inhalers, were administered in 4 consecutive days, 15 min before a standardized exercise test. FEV1 and PEFR were measured before treatment, between treatment and the exercise challenge test, and after the exercise test. The maximum percent fall in FEV1 after the exercise test was evaluated for the four treatments; a protection index was calculated for both inhalers. The maximum percent fall in FEV1 was significantly lower (p < 0.05) after treatment with salbutamol than after placebo with both inhalers; no significant differences were found between the two inhalers. Protection indices were similar for the two inhalers. The multidose inhaler was preferred in terms of ease of use. The two different powder inhalers can be successfully used to administer salbutamol dry powder for the prevention of exercise-induced asthma.
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