Reactions 437 - 6 Feb 1993

Perceived benefits ofantiasthmatics outweigh adverse

effectsFollowing interviews with 100 mothers of children

(median age 54 months) with chronic asthma, Dr KPDawson of Westmead Hospital, New South Wales,Australia, found that, despite the recognition of adverseeffects associated with antiasthma therapies in theirchildren, ‘parents were prepared to continue with thetreatment for their perceived benefits’.

Of the 90 children using salbutamol (albuterol), 74%were reported to have experienced adverse events. Ofthe 22 children using prednisolone, 72% experiencedadverse events of concern to their mothers.

Adverse events reported by the mothers were:• general behavioural disturbances, excitement or

hyperactivity attributed to salbutamol in 48 childrenand to prednisolone in 1

• tremor and tachycardia attributed to salbutamol in19 children

• sleeplessness attributed to salbutamol andtheophylline in 9 and 1 children, respectively

• marked thirst following nebulised ipratropiumbromide in 4 cases

• oral thrush in 1 child receiving inhaledbeclomethasone without a spacing device

• appetite increase, diarrhoea, facial change, a badtaste in the mouth, or nausea and vomiting in 16children taking prednisolone.

Perceived adverse effects resulted in discontinuationof an antiasthma therapy in only 2 children; 1 whodeveloped a facial rash with beclomethasone via aspacer, and the other who had unsubstantiated growthdelay during treatment with budesonide via Turbuhaler(Rm).Dawson KP. Drug use in childhood asthma and maternal perceptions of sideeffects. Australian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy 22: 422-425, Dec1992 800175022

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Reactions 6 Feb 1993 No. 4370114-9954/10/0437-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved