Albuterol multidose dry powder inhaler and albuterol hydrofluoroalkane versus placebo in children with persistent asthma.

BACKGROUND: Many children struggle with albuterol hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) inhalers. Albuterol multidose dry powder inhaler (MDPI) may simplify rescue bronchodilator use in children. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the comparability of albuterol MDPI and albuterol HFA in children with asthma. METHODS: This phase II, multicenter, double-blind, double-dummy, single-dose, five-period, crossover study randomized patients (ages 4-11 years) with persistent asthma and prestudy forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) of 60-90% of predicted to 1 of 10 treatment sequences that contained albuterol MDPI (90 and 180 µg), albuterol HFA (90 and 180 µg), and placebo MDPI and placebo HFA. Efficacy was evaluated by measuring the area under the baseline-adjusted percent-predicted FEV1-time curve over 6 hours (PPFEV1 AUC0-6) after dosing. Safety was evaluated by adverse events. RESULTS: The full analysis set included 61 patients. Albuterol MDPI and albuterol HFA significantly improved PPFEV1 AUC0-6 versus placebo (p ≤ 0.0107). Mean improvement (± standard error [SE]) in PPFEV1 AUC0-6 versus placebo with albuterol MDPI at 90 and 180 µg was similar (21.2 ± 4.87 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 11.60-30.81], and 22.6 ± 4.87 [95% CI, 13.00-32.20], %·hour, respectively). Mean improvement (± SE) with albuterol HFA 180 µg was significantly (p = 0.0226) greater versus albuterol HFA 90 µg (23.7 ± 4.85 [95% CI, 14.13-33.23], and 12.5 ± 4.85 [95% CI, 2.93-22.05], %·hour, respectively). All doses of albuterol were well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Albuterol MDPI 90 and 180 µg and albuterol HFA 180 µg provided similar and significant FEV1 improvements versus placebo; albuterol HFA 90 µg was significant versus placebo but seemed less effective based on absolute improvements in FEV1. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01899144.

Efficacy and safety of fluticasone propionate hydrofluoroalkane inhalation aerosol in pre-school-age children with asthma: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of fluticasone propionate (FP) hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) in children age 1 to < 4 years with asthma. STUDY DESIGN: Children were assigned (2:1) to receive FP HFA 88 mug (n = 239) or placebo HFA (n = 120) twice daily through a metered-dose inhaler with a valved holding chamber and attached facemask for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy measure was mean percent change from baseline to endpoint in 24-hour daily (composite of daytime and nighttime) asthma symptom scores. RESULTS: The FP-treated children had significantly greater (P < or = .05) reductions in 24-hour daily asthma symptom scores (-53.9% vs -44.1%) and nighttime symptom scores over the entire treatment period compared with the placebo group. Daytime asthma symptom scores and albuterol use were slightly more decreased with FP than with placebo; however, the differences were not statistically significant. Increases in the percentage of symptom-free days were comparable. The percentage of patients who experienced at least 1 adverse event was similar in the 2 groups. Baseline median urinary cortisol excretion values were comparable between the groups, and there was little change from baseline at endpoint. FP plasma concentrations demonstrated that systemic exposure was low. CONCLUSIONS: FP HFA 88 mug twice daily was effective and well tolerated in pre-school-age children with asthma.

Safety of budesonide inhalation suspension in infants aged six to twelve months with mild to moderate persistent asthma or recurrent wheeze.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety of budesonide inhalation suspension (BIS) with placebo in infants 6 to 12 months of age with mild to moderate persistent asthma or recurrent wheeze. STUDY DESIGN: In this multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study, 141 patients received 0.5 mg BIS (n = 48), 1.0 mg BIS (n = 44), or placebo (n = 49) once daily for 12 weeks. The primary variable was adrenal function, based on cosyntropin-stimulated plasma cortisol levels. Spontaneous adverse events and clinical laboratory findings also were monitored. RESULTS: Overall, the types and frequencies of adverse events reported during the study were comparable across treatment groups. The response to cosyntropin stimulation was similar across treatment groups, with no significant difference between BIS treatment and placebo. CONCLUSIONS: The safety profile of BIS was similar to that of placebo, with no suppressive effect on adrenal function in patients 6 to 12 months of age with mild to moderate persistent asthma or recurrent wheeze.