Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the role and side effects of formoterol in the treatment of children with bronchial asthma who are symptomatic, despite regular use of inhaled corticosteroids. Formoterol turbuhaler (9 g twice a day) were given to 15 children with mild persistent or moderate asthma for six weeks, who were still symptomatic despite use of 400 μg/day inhaled budesonid. The patients were evaluated with daily asthma symptom scores and PEF values, and spirometric measurements were done at the beginning, third and sixth weeks of the therapy. Asthmatic symptom scores decreased and daily PEF values increased with formoterol treatment. In spirometric measurements, an increase in FVC and FEV1 were found while there was not any significant change in PEF and MEF25-75 values. Dizziness in one patient and tremor in another was observed. Our findings suggest that inhaled formoterol is effective in controlling chronic asthma symptoms in children who are symtomatic despite regular use of inhaled corticosteroids.