Effects of combined treatment with glycopyrrolate and albuterol in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether the addition of a single aerosolized dose of glycopyrrolate leads to a greater improvement in pulmonary function than treatment with albuterol alone for patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized, blinded, controlled study. Fifty-seven patients with acute exacerbation of COPD were entered into the study. All patients received three aerosol treatments. Patients were randomized to receive 2 mg aerosolized glycopyrrolate (combination therapy group) or aerosolized placebo in addition to their first 2.5-mg albuterol aerosol treatment. All patients received 2.5 mg of aerosolized albuterol alone for the next two treatments.

SETTING

Urban teaching hospital emergency department.

RESULTS

We found no difference in pretreatment 1-second fractional expired volume (FEV1) between the control and glycopyrrolate groups. There was no significant difference in the absolute value of the FEV1 at 1 hour or at 3 hours between the two groups; however, patients who received combination therapy had a greater percent increase from the pretreatment value of FEV1 (56%) as measured in milliliters than did control patients (19%; P = .008).

CONCLUSION

The combination of glycopyrrolate and albuterol produces a greater improvement in FEV1 than does albuterol alone in the treatment of patients with acute exacerbation of COPD.