| Abstract | Currently available metered dose inhalers (MDIs) do not track the remaining number of doses, indicating the need for a device that accurately monitors medication use. In an open-label study at 37 outpatient centers, patients > or =4 years old with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease requiring short-acting 32-agonists received two actuations of albuterol hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) [Ventolin HFA: GlaxoSmithKline], 90 microg twice daily, via a novel MDI with an integrated dose counter until all 200 actuations were completed. Concordance between counter readings, diary card-recorded actuations, and canister weights were measured in patients who completed > or =90% of the labeled actuations (n = 224). Adverse events and patient satisfaction were assessed in the intent-to-treat population (n = 268). In 43,865 recorded actuations, 333 counter versus diary discrepancies occurred (discrepancy rate of 0.76%), and 88% of discrepancies were by one to two actuations. Forty-seven percent of patients had no discrepancies. Incidence of the device firing without changes in counter readings was very low (0.09%). Mean expected actuations based on canister weights (184) were slightly lower than mean counter and diary-reported actuations (200 each). At baseline, 62% of patients reported anxiety about not knowing the quantity of medication remaining in their inhaler. On study completion, 92% expressed satisfaction with the dose counter and 92% agreed it would help prevent them from running out of medication. The adverse event profile showed that albuterol HFA was well tolerated. Integrated MDI counters are a useful and reliable tool for tracking a patient's medication supply. |
| Authors | Richard L Wasserman, Ketan Sheth, William R Lincourt, Nicholas W Locantore, Jacqueline Carranza Rosenzweig, Courtney Crim
(Affiliation: Pediatric Allergy/Immunology Associates, PA, Dallas, Texas, USA. richw3 at swbell.net)
|
| Journal | Allergy and asthma proceedings : the official journal of regional and state allergy societies
(Allergy Asthma Proc)
2006 Nov-Dec
Vol. 27
Issue 6
Pg. 486-92
ISSN: 1088-5412 United States |
| PMID | 17176783
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
|
| Chemical References |
- Bronchodilator Agents
- Albuterol
|
| Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Albuterol
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Asthma
(drug therapy)
- Bronchodilator Agents
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Metered Dose Inhalers
- Middle Aged
- Patient Satisfaction
- Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
(drug therapy)
|
