Oral bambuterol versus terbutaline in patients with asthma

Abstract This double-blind, crossover study compared the bronchodilating effects and side-effect profiles, including arrhythmogenic effects, of bambuterol tables 20 mg once every evening with terbutaline tablets 5 mg three times daily in 22 patients with asthma without concomitant heart disease. Peak expiratory flow, use of inhaled beta 2 -agonists, asthma symptoms, and adverse events were recorded daily during each 7-day treatment period. At the end of each period, forced expiratory volume in 1 second and 48-hour ambulatory electrocardiograms were monitored. There was no difference in lung function between treatments; however, the mean score for dyspnea during the night was significantly lower ( P 2 -agonists (1.7 ± 0.5 vs 2.3 ± 0.5, respectively). No significant differences between treatments in arrhythmogenic effects were found. Few patients reported adverse events. However, the mean score for daytime uneasiness was significantly lower ( P