Abstract

Aims&
Objective: To assess the relative efficiency of budesonide administered from different delivery devices to adult patients of chronic stable bronchial asthma as measured by pulmonary function test parameters.
Materials and Methods: This prospective study was undertaken to assess the relative efficiency of budesonide administered from different delivery devices to adult patients of chronic stable bronchial asthma as measured by pulmonary function test parameters. Fifty subjects where administered budesonide (1 mg) via nebulizer, budesonide (400 microgram) by metered dose inhaler, metered dose inhaler with spacer and dry powder inhaler consecutively each week for four weeks under direct supervision. Pulmonary function test was done before and one hour after administration of the drug on each visit.
Results: No significant difference in Peak expiratory flow rate (P=0.77), forced expiratory volume in one second (P=0.95), forced vital capacity (P=0.24) and forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity ratio (P=0.22) was seen after giving budesonide by different devices. Conclusion: Budesonide delivered by different devices (nebulizer, metered dose inhaler, metered dose inhaler with spacer and dry powder inhaler) have similar effect on lung function in patients of chronic stable bronchial asthma and may be used interchangeably.