Generic substitution of salbutamol lags behind that of other drugs in Scotland and a negative perception by both patients and doctors may explain this. The aim of this study was to assess whether, in clinical practice, there was any difference in efficacy between branded salbutamol (Ventolin) and a generic preparation. Asthmatic patients using a Ventolin metered-dose inhaler at least twice a da...

BACKGROUND Reversibility after administration of an inhaled bronchodilator is not always demonstrable in patients with asthma. Bronchodilator aerosol-induced bronchoconstriction has also been reported to occur in some patients. METHODS Fifteen selected patients showing < 10% improvement in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) when tested with four doses of salbutamol (0.1 mg/dose) or...

BACKGROUND The SmartTouch Ventolin monitor (Adherium, Auckland, New Zealand) is an electronic monitor for use with a Ventolin metered dose inhaler, which records the date and time of inhaler actuations. This technology has the potential to allow in-depth analysis of patterns of inhaler use in clinical trial settings. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of the SmartTouch Ventolin...

The ability of patients with severe airflow limitation (forced expiratory volume in one second less than 1.0 l or peak expiratory flow rate less than 200 l.min.1) to use a new breath-actuated inhaler (BAI) was assessed. One hundred and fifty six patients attending two respiratory units entered and completed the study. Subjects were instructed how to use the device and after attempting to trigge...

AIM To identify factors that influenced trained asthma practice nurses' inhaler device selection and the relative importance they placed on these factors in clinical practice. METHOD Questionnaires were sent to 1,500 randomly selected, trained asthma nurses working in primary care. A second, open-ended questionnaire was sent to 300 of these nurses. RESULTS The response rate was 38% (573) fo...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) and Asthma Control Test (ACT) in patients with poor asthma control. Children between 7-17 years of age with diagnosis of persistent asthma who are not on daily inhaler corticosteroid therapy were involved. At enrollment, sociodemographic and asthmatic characteristics were investi...

Executive summary: Inhaler devices for chronic asthma in older children

Modern local therapy for lung diseases is now largely based on pressurized metered-dose inhalers (MDIs). The research of alternatives to MDIs has recently accelerated, primarily due to environmental concerns related to the use of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) propellants. The most recent and attractive solution to this problem is represented by the development of dry powder inhalers (DPIs), particul...

Aerosol therapy, the preferred route of administration for glucocorticosteroids and short-acting beta(2)-adrenergic agonists in the treatment of paediatric asthma, may be given via nebulisers, metered-dose inhalers and dry powder inhalers. For glucocorticosteroids, therapy with aerosolised medication results in higher concentrations of drug at the target organ with minimal systemic side effects...

STUDY OBJECTIVE To determine if a training session using videotaped metered dose inhaler (MDI) performances can result in high interrater and intrarater reliability of five evaluators assessing MDI technique. DESIGN Five evaluators (three pharmacists, two pulmonary fellows) were trained to evaluate MDI technique during a 2-h training session. The training session consisted of verbal instructi...