Abstract
Objective
To compare efficacy and tolerability of levosalbutamol (Group 1) and racemic salbutamol (Group 2) for the treatment of acute exacerbation of asthma in children age 5 to 18 yr.
Methods
A randomized double blind clinical study involving 60 children was undertaken between October’ 06 to December’ 07.
Results
The following baseline clinical characteristic were recorded initially and after giving 3 nebulizations at 20 min intervals in the Ist hour of presentation viz respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation in room air SPO2, PEFR (peak expiratory flow rate), serum K+ level and asthma score. In Group 1 patients (levosalbutamol), there was significant increment in SPO2 and PEFR (P<0.05) values with decrease in tachypnea and asthma score while no significant difference was found in pre and post treatment HR & Serum K+ levels. In Group 2 patients although there was clinical improvement in terms of SPO2, PEFR, RR and asthma score, it resulted in significant tachycardia and decrease in K+ levels.
Conclusion
Levosalbutamol appears to be more efficacious than racemic salbutamol in terms of improvement in PEFR, SPO2 and asthma score while deleterious effects of tachycardia and fall in serum K+ were seen with racemic salbutamol.
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Punj, A., Prakash, A. & Bhasin, A. Levosalbutamol vs racemic salbutamol in the treatment of acute exacerbation of asthma. Indian J Pediatr 76, 1131–1135 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-009-0245-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-009-0245-4