Comparison of a Combination of Fenoterol with Ipratropium Bromide (Duovent) and Salbutamol in Young Adults with Nocturnal Asthma

Abstract

In a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, crossover study consisting of two 1-month periods with a 2-week ‘run-in’ we compared the effects of a combination of fenoterol with ipratropium bromide (Duovent®, Boehringer Ingelheim) and salbutamol administered by standard metered dose inhalers in conventional dosage in young adults with nocturnal asthma. Seventeen patients were studied, all were aged between 19 and 35 years and showed ‘morning dip’ associated with nocturnal symptoms of cough, wheeze and breathlessness. They recorded morning and evening peak flows and symptoms of nocturnal asthma on diary cards. Over the 10 weeks of the study there was no difference betwen Duovent and salbutamol in any of the parameters measured

Role of Chronotherapy in Disease Control and Prevention

“…Two inhaled cholinergic antagonists, oxitroprium and ipratropium bromide, have been shown in numerous investigations to lessen the morning decline in airflow in asthmatics (Morrison et al, 1988, Coe et al, 1996. Upon learning about them, corticosteroids have been utilised in a chronotherapeutic manner, as their long-acting or long-term oral administration at 8:00am and 3:00pm are more effective than the same doses administered at 3:00pm and 8:00pm in treating nocturnal asthma (Wolstenholme et al, 1989).…”