Salbutamol powder inhaled from the Diskhaler compared to salbutamol as nebulizer solution in severe chronic airways obstruction

• Published in: Respiratory medicine 1995-03, Vol.89 (3), p.175-179
• Main Authors: Hansen, N.C.G., Andersen, P.B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration, Inhalation; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Albuterol - administration & dosage; Biological and medical sciences; Cross-Over Studies; Double-Blind Method; Female; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Lung Diseases, Obstructive - diagnosis; Lung Diseases, Obstructive - drug therapy; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nebulizers and Vaporizers; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Powders; Respiratory system; Solutions
• ISSN: 0954-6111; 1532-3064
• DOI: 10.1016/0954-6111(95)90244-9

The bronchodilatory effect of four doses of salbutamol powder (1·6 mg) from a multi-dose dry powder inhaler, the Diskhaler, was compared to the effect of 2·5 ml salbutamol nebulizer solution (1 mg ml −1) from a jet nebulizer, Pari Inhalierboy, in a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, cross-over study performed on 2 consecutive days. Thirty-two patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a mean FEV 1=29% of predicted value, and at least a 15% increase in FEV 1 after inhaling 5 mg nebulized terbutaline were included. Twenty-eight patients were evaluated: 17 women and 11 men with a mean age of 67 years (range 53–82 years). The mean increases in FEV 1 were greater after inhalation via the Diskhaler, although there was no difference in the patients' subjective assessment of the treatments. The powder inhaler was also effective in patients with the lowest baseline FEV 1 and the lowest inspiratory peak flow through the inhaler. The study demonstrates that dry powder inhalation of salbutamol via a Diskhaler is at least as effective as inhalation of salbutamol via a jet nebulizer in providing bronchodilation in patients with severe COPD.