@article {Cromheecke:May 2002:0306-5251:556P, author = "Cromheecke, H.", author = "Grouls, R.", author = "Creemers, J.", author = "Smeenk, F.", author = "Verboom, L.", author = "Ackerman, E.", title = "Pharmacodynamic effects of albuterol nebulization in hospitalized COPD-patients because of an exacerbation with blocked gastrointestinal absorption", journal = "British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology", volume = "53", year = "May 2002", abstract = "Despite major improvements in drug output of new nebulizers and differences between nebulizers [ 1], doses of albuterol nebulizing therapy of hospitalized COPD-patients has not changed in the last decades.

The objective was to determine the optimal dose in the current setting according to a standardized protocol (10 min at flow 8 l min−1, MICRO MIST nebulizer, Hudson RCI).

After a washout of bronchodilators patients nebulized 5 mg (group A; n=21. FEV1=47.4 ± 2.9% predicted; Tiffeneau=48.1 ± 2.5%) or 10 mg (group B; n=21, FEV1=50.5 ± 3.8% predicted; Tiffeneau=49.5 ± 3.4%) albuterol (t=−10 to 0 min). Pulmonary function (PF) (FEV1, FVC, Tiffeneau), dyspnoea (modified Borg scale) and heart-frequency (HF), blood pressure (BP), breathing-frequency (BF), serum potassium (K), fingertremor, QTc-interval, were measured at t=−30, 10, 30, 60, 120, 240 min. Charcoal was administered to prevent gastrointestinal absorption (t=−10; 10 min (5 g) and 60 min (10 g). Pharmacodynamic (PD)-effects, relative to baseline, and correlation between effects, severeness of COPD and patient characteristics were analysed.

FEV1 and FVC increased significantly (FEV1: (A) 10-120 min; (B) 10-240 min; Figure 1), leaving Tiffeneau unchanged. FVC at t=10 is significantly greater for group B compared to A (P=0.009). PD-parameters ( Table 1) showed significant changes.

All changes in group B had an earlier onset and were of the same or longer duration. Parameters not mentioned did not change clinically significant. FEV1- and dyspnoeic-changes and FEV1 and FVC changes had a significant correlation in both groups. No other correlations or differences were seen.

Group B shows no greater PF improvements, only significant and clinical relevant greater changes in some side effects. In moderate to severe COPD-patients 5 mg albuterol is the highest recommended dose, lower doses should be investigated.", pages = "556P-556P(1)", url = "http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/bjcp/2002/00000053/00000005/art00033" doi = "doi:10.1046/j.1365-2125.2002.161321.x" }