Powder Puffs For Asthmatics? Inhaled fenoterol powder improves lung function in patients with poor inhaler technique

Twenty asthmatic patients with poor inhaler technique received fenoterol 0.2mg via a metered dose inhaler (MDI) and on the next 2 days randomly inhaled placebo on 1 day and fenoterol powder 0.2mg on the other day in double-blind fashion.

Fenoterol powder but not fenoterol via MDI increased PEF and FEV 1 significantly compared with placebo (p < 0.001 ). Fenoterol powder increased PEF more than MDI fenoterol 0.2mg at 5 min (p < 0.01 ), 15 min (p < 0.001) and 60 min (p < 0.05) after inhalation and increased FEV1 significantly more than MDI fenoterol 0.2mg. PEF and FEV 1 increased more with MDI fenoterol 0.4mg given after the 60 min tests in patients who had had MDI fenoterol 0.2mg than in patients who had had fenoterol powder 0.2mg or placebo. The authors concluded that poor inhaler techniques reduced the efficacy of the fenoterol by MDI and that ' .•• treabnent with a dry

powder bronchodilator would seem to be a reliable alternative'.

Lahdensuo A, Muittari A European Journal of Respiratory Diseases 68: 332-335. May 1986

0156-2703/86/1025-0013/0$01.00/0 @ ADIS Press INPHARMA"' 25 Oct 1986 13