RECENT REPORTS ON ASTHMA THERAPY

Fenoterol performs better than isoprenaline in allergic asthma In a double-blind comparison of 2 aerosol treatments, 20 patients with intrinsic asthma were given 2 puffs of fenoterol O.4mg or isoprenaline (isoproterenol) 0.16mg from metered-dose inhalers. They were allowed to continue taking steroids, sodium cromoglycate or antibiotics but theophylline derivatives, sympathomimetics and smoking were not permitted. With fenoterol the average increase in the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV) was 46 % and the average increase in the forced vital capacity (FVC) was 32 %. Corresponding increases with isoprenaline were II % and 16 %. Three patients required further bronchodilator therapy after isoprenaline. There were no significant changes in BP or blood gas levels during the trial. Both drugs caused a similar significant fall in pulse rate. Two patients fainted during the isoprenaline treatment. Side effects with fenoterol included feeling tired, cold and shaky, Wheezing, dizziness and light-headedness. These may have been due to the strain of taking part in the trial. Chatterjee. S.S. and Ross. A.E.: Clinie3J Trials Joumal 17: 7 (No I. 1980)

Clenbuterol is as effective as salbutamol in preventing exercise-induced asthma Nine patients in remission from extensive atopic asthma were given 20)Jg inhaled clenbuterol, 200)Jg salbutamol (albuterol) or placebo 3 hours before a treadmill exercise. Placebo did not prevent exercise-induced asthma in any patient. The average reduction

-in FEV 1 was 34 % with placebo compared to 6 % with clenbuterol and II % with salbutamol. Clenbuterol prevented asthma induction in 7 patients and gave some protection to I patient. Salbutamol inhalation gave complete protection to 5 patients and partial protection to I. Heart rate and BP changes with both drugs were similar to placebo. There were no side effects. del Bono, N. et aI.: Current Medical Research and Opinion 6: 237 (No 4.1979)

Co-dergocrine mesylate ('Hydergine') in bronchial asthma: a Japanese study 40 patients with bronchial asthma continued to suffer attacks while being treated with a ~2-stimulant (salbutamol or clorprenaline) and aminophylline during a 4-12 week control period. When they were also given I mg co-dergocrine tid, increased to 6mg daily if required, 12 of them had no attacks and 21 had only mild attacks. The improvement was most marked in patients with atopic asthma. During the study 2 patients had palpitations and 2 had orthostatic hypotension. These effects were mild·and cleared with continued medication. Co-dergoerine is a mixture of ergocristine, ergocryptine and ergocornine. The effects of the drug differ from natural ergot alkaloids, and toxicity is very low. Kitamura. S.: Pharmatherapeutica 2: 330 (No 5, 1980)

10 INPHARMA 8 Mar 1980 0156-2703/80/0308-00 10 $00.50/ 0 © ADIS Press