Abstract
We compared the effectiveness of inhaled formoterol with that of ipratropium in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). After a 2-wk run-in period, 780 patients with COPD were randomized to receive for 12 wk formoterol dry powder 12 or 24 μg twice daily, ipratropium bromide 40 μg four times daily, or placebo in a multicenter, double-blind, parallel-group study. The primary efficacy variable was the area under the curve for forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) measured over 12 h after 12 wk of treatment. Secondary variables included diary symptoms and quality of life. Both doses of formoterol and ipratropium significantly increased the area under the curve for FEV 1 in comparison with placebo (all p < 0.001). Both doses of formoterol were also significantly superior to ipratropium (all p < 0.025). Compared with placebo, both doses of formoterol significantly improved symptoms (all p ≤ 0.007) and quality of life (p < 0.01 for total scores) whereas ipratropium did not show significant effects (all p ≥ 0.3). All study treatments exhibited a similar safety profile. We conclude that formoterol is more effective than ipratropium bromide in the treatment of COPD, as the efficacy of ipratropium on airflow obstruction does not translate into a clinical benefit that patients can perceive.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 778-784 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine |
Volume | 164 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Sept 2001 |
Keywords
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- FEV
- Formoterol
- Inhaled cholinergic antagonist
- Inhaled long-acting β-agonist
- Quality of life
- Randomized controlled study