Comparison of Berodual^® and Salbutamol in Asthma: A Multicenter Evaluation

Abstract

A 2-month study was carried out to compare the efficacy and safety of Berodual® (B) (Boehringer Ingelheim) and salbutamol (S) in asthma. B is a combined agent with 20 µg of ipratropium bromide and 50 µg of fenoterol in each metered aerosol puff. Each puff of S contained 100 µg of drug. 196 patients were included in the study and received 4 × 2 puffs a day of either B or S. FEV₁ and FVC were measured every month, and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) 4 times a day, i.e. morning and evening before and after administration of drug. Improvement of PEFR was the same in the two groups. No tachyphylaxis occurred. No difference was observed between the two drugs with regard to heart and respiratory rate, dyspnea and blood pressure. Tremor seemed less frequent with B but this difference was not statistically significant. B achieved the same effects as S though containing less beta-2-agonist agent.

Respimat^® (a New Soft Mist Inhaler) Delivering Fenoterol plus Ipratropium Bromide Provides Equivalent Bronchodilation at Half the Cumulative Dose Compared with a Conventional Metered Dose Inhaler in Asthmatic Patients

“…The combination of the β 2 -agonist fenoterol hydrobromide and the anticholinergic drug ipratropium bromide is now well established in the treatment of bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases [25, 26, 27, 28, 29]. The most widely used delivery device for inhalation therapy for decades has been the conventional freon-driven MDI, but must now be replaced with environmentally friendly alternatives to satisfy international agreements on the protection of the stratospheric ozone layer.…”