A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF RACEMIC SALBUTAMOL AND LEVOSALBUTAMOL IN PATIENTS WITH ASTHMA

Aim: The present study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of racemic salbutamol with levosalbutamol in patients of bronchial asthma Methods: A prospective, randomized, open label 8 weeks study. After taking informed consent of 100 patients of either sex were randomly divided in to racemic salbutamol ( group A) and levosalbutamol ( group B ) group of 50 patients each. At first visit ( 0 week) Spirometry parameters like FEV1, FVC, PEFR and heart rate changes were recorded before and 20 minutes after drug administration via MDI. Patients were prescribed the study drug for further 4 weeks for safety assessment. At 4 weeks spirometry parameters and heart rate changes were recorded before and 20 minutes after drug administration. At both the visits patients were interviewed for side effects. Results were analysed at 0 and 4 weeks. Result: At 0 and 4 weeks mean percentage increase of FEV1, FVC, PEFR in levosalbutamol group after drug administration was significantly higher. Conclusion: Levosalbutamol was found to be more efficacious and safer than racemic salbutamol.