COMPARISON OF FORMOTEROL-BUDESONIDE FORMULATION NEBULIZED ALONE AND IN COMBINATION WITH IPRATROPIUM BROMIDE FORMULATION IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a clinical syndrome associated with gradually progressive narrowing of the airways due to inflammation. The syndrome includes Bronchitis, Emphysema and small airway disease with common symptoms due to inflammation and chronic airflow obstruction. Methods: COPD patients aged 40 years or more were allocated in two treatment groups. Group 1 was nebulized with Formoterol- Budesonide formulation (double drug) and Group 2 with Formoterol-Budesonide formulation along with Ipratropium bromide formulation (triple drug). Spirometry parameters were recorded at baseline and thirty minutes after nebulization. Results: Within half an hour after nebulization, there was a statistically significant increase in all the Spirometry parameters in both the groups. The increase was slightly more in triple drug group (n=26).The mean difference in the pre & post-nebulization parameters was taken and it was found that only PEFR had statistically significant increase post-nebulization. All Spirometry parameters increase was similar in both the groups. Conclusions: The results of triple drug combination were slightly better (group 2). Mean change in the nebulization parameters showed statistically significant increase in PEFR in group 2.