Effects of the tulobuterol patch on the treatment of acute asthma exacerbations in young children.

Abstract

The tulobuterol patch (TP) is a beta(2)-adrenergic agonist with a favorable pharmacokinetic profile used for asthma management in Japan. Because it contains tulobuterol in a molecular, crystallized form that is gradually absorbed percutaneously, TP exerts a prolonged bronchodilator effect exceeding 24 hours. Although it is a well-established treatment for asthma and wheezing, few studies have investigated whether it can reduce or prevent the symptoms associated with upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in young children. This study evaluated the effect of TP on the long-term management of asthma in young children. In this 1-year, randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, children aged 0.5-3 years old with mild-to-moderate persistent asthma were treated with either TP or placebo patch. The parents/guardians applied the TP or placebo patch to their children after URTI symptoms appeared. Respiratory symptoms were recorded daily during the 1-year observation period. Overall, 86 patients were enrolled and 80 were treated and analyzed in this study. All patients had been treated with anti-inflammatory drugs before enrollment. The time to symptom resolution was significantly shorter (p = 0.001) and the total respiratory symptom score (p = 0.0457) was significantly lower in the TP group than in the placebo group. In young children with mild-to-moderate asthma who had been treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, using the TP soon after the appearance of URTI symptoms led to quicker resolution of respiratory symptoms and lower respiratory symptom scores.

• Authors: Toshio Katsunuma, Yukihiro Ohya, Takao Fujisawa, Kenichi Akashi, Naoto Imamura, Motohiro Ebisawa, Kazunari Daikoku, Naomi Kondo, Akihiko Terada, Satoru Doi, Toshiyuki Nishimuta, Takeshi Noma, Yuhei Hamasaki, Kazuyuki Kurihara, Kei Masuda, Takashi Yamada, Masanori Yamada, Shigemi Yoshihara, Kazuhiko Watanabe, Tohru Watanabe, Taeru Kitabayashi, Akihiro Morikawa, Sankei Nishima, Protective Effect of Tulobuterol Patch on the Long-term Management of Asthma in Young Children Study Group
• Journal: Allergy and asthma proceedings (Allergy Asthma Proc) 2012 May-Jun Vol. 33 Issue 3 Pg. e28-34 ISSN: 1539-6304 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22737706 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Adrenergic beta-Agonists
• tulobuterol
• Terbutaline

Topics

• Adrenergic beta-Agonists (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Asthma (complications, drug therapy)
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Humans
• Infant
• Male
• Respiratory Tract Infections (complications)
• Terbutaline (administration & dosage, adverse effects, analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Transdermal Patch
• Treatment Outcome