Abstract

β2 - adrenoceptor stimulants play a key role in the management of bronchial asthma. This study was carried out on 80 patients of moderate to severe bronchial asthma. Group I (n = 40) received Albuterol 2.5 mg/2.5 ml and Group II (n = 40) received Levalbuterol 0.63 mg/2.5 ml TDS for 4 weeks. Baseline and post-treatment evaluation of lung function, respiratory rate, Total leukocytes Count, Total eosinophil Count, Serum potassium and Heart rate were carried out. In group I, Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 s was increased from 1.565±0.53 to 1.74±0.64 L (p>0.05) and in group II it was increased from 1.48±0.91 to 2.10±0.70 L (p<0.05). Forced vital capacity and Peak Expiratory Forced Rate were also increased in both groups (p<0.05). Respiratory rate and Total eosinophil count were significantly decreased by both drugs. Total leukocyte count was decreased non-significantly by both drugs (p>0.05). Serum potassium was decreased in group I from 3.77±0.38 to 2.96±0.49 mEq/L (p = 0.001) and in group II from 3.79±0.57 to 3.51±0.56 mEq/L (P = 0.017). Heart rate was significantly increased by both drugs, but it was greater with Albuterol. Levalbuterol appears to be more effective with better tolerability in low dose as compare to Albuterol.

Keywords: Albuterol, Levalbuterol, bronchial asthma, bronchodilation, β2-agonists