Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit von Salmeterol in der Langzeit-therapie bei Patienten mit obstruktiver Atemwegserkrankung

BACKGROUND Salmeterol is a long-acting inhaled beta 2-agonist with a bronchodilating effect lasting over 10 to 12 hours. METHODS A prospective, open, multi-centre study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of inhaled salmeterol (50 micrograms BID) over a mean treatment period of 29 months (range: 4-1145 days) in 634 patients (54% male, age 45 +/- 15 years) with mild to moderate asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Peak expiratory flow rates, rescue use of short acting beta 2-agonists and safety were study objectives. Patients were critically monitored for a possible loss of bronchodilator efficacy of salmeterol during long-term treatment. RESULTS During the f…