{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Salbutamol Easyhaler provides non-inferior relief of methacholine induced bronchoconstriction in comparison to Ventoline Evohaler with spacer: A randomized trial.
{Author}: Karjalainen J;Vartiainen V;Tikkakoski A;Malmberg LP;Vuotari L;Lähelmä S;Sairanen U;Vahteristo M;Lehtimäki L;
{Journal}: Respir Med
{Volume}: 230
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Aug-Sep 6
{Factor}: 4.582
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.rmed.2024.107693
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Salbutamol is a cornerstone for relieving acute asthma symptoms, typically administered through a pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI). Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) offer an alternative, but concerns exist whether DPIs provide an effective relief during an obstructive event.<BR><B>OBJECTIVE: </B>We aimed to show non-inferiority of Salbutamol Easyhaler DPI compared to pMDI with spacer in treating methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction. Applicability of Budesonide-formoterol Easyhaler DPI as a reliever was also assessed.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>This was a randomized, parallel-group trial in subjects sent to methacholine challenge (MC) test for asthma diagnostics. Participants with at least 20 % decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) were randomized to receive Salbutamol Easyhaler (2 × 200 μg), Ventoline Evohaler with spacer (4 × 100 μg) or Budesonide-formoterol Easyhaler (2 × 160/4.5 μg) as a reliever. The treatment was repeated if FEV1 did not recover to at least -10 % of baseline.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>180 participants (69 % females, mean age 46 yrs [range 18-80], FEV1%pred 89.5 [62-142] %) completed the trial. Salbutamol Easyhaler was non-inferior to pMDI with spacer in acute relief of bronchoconstriction showing a -0.083 (95 % LCL -0.146) L FEV1 difference after the first dose and -0.032 (-0.071) L after the last dose. The differences in FEV1 between Budesonide-formoterol Easyhaler and Salbutamol pMDI with spacer were -0.163 (-0.225) L after the first and -0.092 (-0.131) L after the last dose.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>The study confirms non-inferiority of Salbutamol Easyhaler to Ventoline Evohaler with spacer in relieving acute bronchoconstriction, making Easyhaler a sustainable and safe reliever for MC test and supports its use during asthma attacks.