Abstract
AIMS: To determine the role of formoterol in the treatment of children with bronchial asthma who are symptomatic despite regular use of inhaled corticosteroids. METHODS: A randomised, double blind, parallel group, placebo controlled study to investigate the effects of inhaled formoterol (12 microg twice a day) in 32 children with moderate to severe bronchial asthma. The study consisted of two week run in periods and six week treatment periods, during both of which the patients continued their regular anti-inflammatory drugs. The efficacy parameters were symptom scores, bronchodilator use, daily peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR), methacholine hyper-reactivity, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), lung volumes, and airway conductance. RESULTS: Formoterol treatment for six weeks decreased symptom scores, PEFR variability, and the number of rescue salbutamol doses, and increased morning and evening PEFR significantly. No adverse reactions were seen. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that inhaled formoterol is effective in controlling chronic asthma symptoms in children who are symptomatic despite regular use of inhaled corticosteroids.