@article {Martin:August 1999:1081-1206:121,
	author = "Martin, Richard J.",
	author = "Kraft, Monica",
	author = "Beaucher, Wilfred N.",
	author = "Kiechel, Frederic",
	author = "Sublett, James L.",
	author = "LaVallee, Nicole",
	author = "Shilstone, Jonathan",
	title = "Comparative study of extended release albuterol sulfate and long-acting inhaled salmeterol xinafoate in the treatment of nocturnal asthma",
	journal = "Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology",
	volume = "83",
	year = "August 1999",
	abstract = "<B>Background:</B> Nocturnal worsening of asthma is a common problem in asthma and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Long acting beta-2 agonists are considered long-term symptom control medications, especially for nocturnal symptoms.<P></P> <B>Objective:</B> To compare efficacy of an extended release oral beta-2 agonist, albuterol sulfate (Volmax ), to a long-acting inhaled agent, salmeterol (Serevent ) in the treatment of nocturnal asthma.<P></P> <B>Methods:</B> This was a multicenter double-blind, double-dummy, randomized, crossover design with a 1-week baseline period and two 3-week treatment periods separated by a 7 to 9-day washout. An optional 2-week, open-label phase was conducted to evaluate patient preference.<P></P> <B>Results:</B> A total of 46 patients were included in the efficacy analysis. For the primary outcome variable of morning peak expiratory flow, there were similar and significant improvements over the 3-week treatment period for both medications compared with baseline (<I>P</I> &#60; .001). Similar improvements were seen in the overnight change in PEF values (<I>P</I> &#60; .001). The morning and overnight changes in FEV<SUB>1</SUB> were not significantly different between treatment arms (<I>P</I> &#62; .05). There were significant improvements in both treatment periods in regard to the percentage of nights without awakenings (baseline 53.6 &#177; 5.3%), extended release albuterol 83.3 &#177; 3.0% (<I>P</I> &#60; .001), and salmeterol 88.8 &#177; 2.4%. The percentage of patients who had no awakenings during treatment did not differ significantly for the two medications. Both treatments also resulted in a decrease in the use of rescue albuterol (extended release 2.66 &#177; 0.35 puffs per day, salmeterol 1.85 &#177; 0.29) from baseline (4.57 &#177; 0.41, <I>P</I> &#60; .001). There was a significant difference between groups (<I>P</I> = .001). The reasons why patients preferred one medication over the other varied.<P></P> <B>Conclusion:</B> Both extended release albuterol tablets and inhaled salmeterol resulted in similar bronchodilation and good control of nocturnal asthma symptoms.<P></P> Annals of Allergy, Asthma, &#38; Immunology 1999;83:121-126.",
	pages = "121-126(6)",
	url = "http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/acaai/aaai/1999/00000083/00000002/art00008"
}