COMPARISON OF BRONCHODILATORY EFFICACY POTENTIAL OF RACEMIC SALBUTAMOL AND LEVOSALBUTAMOL IN PATIENTS WITH MILD TO MODERATE PERSISTENT ASTHMA

Abstract

Introduction: The World Health Organization has estimated that 15 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) are lost annually due to asthma, representing 1% of the total global disease burden. Racemic Salbutamol and Levo Salbutamol both have potent broncho-dilatory effect and therefore, both are used in the treatment of Asthma. The study was conducted to compare bronchodilatory efficacy potential of Salbutamol with Levo-Salbutamol.

Methodology: The present study was conducted among 100 patients at a tertiary care hospital mild to moderate persistent asthma. Patients were divided in two groups, 50 subjects in each group. After performing baseline spirometry, group A and group B subjects were given 2.5 mg salbutamol and 1.25 mg levosalbutamol, respectively, through nebulizer (continuous, compressor type of nebulizer with drug particle size 0.5-5 micron and average nebulization rate 0.2ml/min.). After 20 minutes, repeat spirometry was performed to measure bronchodilatory response.

Results: Two groups are comparable for base line characteristics, as there is no age & sex wise and symptom wise significant difference in the distribution of patients (p >0.05 for all variables). Overall picture is suggestive of no significant statistical difference in bronchodilatory potential between Salbutamol and Levo-Salbutamol. Positive raise in FEV1, FEV1/FVC% and PEFR is statistically not significant in both groups (P>0.05 for all three).

Conclusion: Salbutamol and Levo-Salbutamol had isoeffective bronchodilatory potential in bronchial asthma patients when used at equipotent doses.