Levosalbutamol vs racemic salbutamol in the treatment of acute exacerbation of asthma.

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.