Improved Lung Function in Adults With Acute Asthma Attacks

Monday January 26, 2004

DETROIT, Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study shows treatment with Xopenex (levalbuterol) in the emergency room can significantly improve lung function and clinical outcomes for adults suffering from acute asthma attacks. These data appear in the January issue of the American Journal of Emergency Medicine.

"People who suffer from asthma can exacerbate anywhere, anytime so the right medication may make the difference between staying at home and being admitted to the emergency room," said Richard Nowak, M.D., Vice Chair, Emergency Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit. "This study showed patients receiving treatment with Xopenex had more rapid airway improvement and spent less time in the emergency department than those patients who were treated with conventional care."

The study demonstrated that Xopenex (Zoe'-pen-ex) may provide the most benefit for patients including those with severe disease.

"An acute asthma attack can be life-threatening," Dr. Nowak said. "Rescue medications that alleviate the symptoms of asthma are a necessity, and the most effective medications should be made readily available to all individuals who need them."

About the Study

This pilot study was conducted to determine the most effective doses of Xopenex (levalbuterol) for treating acute bronchospasm. This study was a prospective, open label, non-randomized, pilot study of 91 patients entering the emergency departments (EDs) of Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, and the Cleveland Clinic and MetroHealth Center, Cleveland.

Patients with baseline forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), the standard measure of lung function, <20 percent to 55 percent predicted experienced 56 percent improvement in FEV1 from baseline after the first 1.25 dose of Xopenex and 74 percent improvement in FEV1 from baseline after the third dose.

In the study subgroup including patients with an FEV1 of less than or equal to 35 percent of predicted, Xopenex 1.25 mg produced a 75 percent change in baseline FEV1.

Henry Ford Hospital is the flagship hospital for Henry Ford Health System, one of the country's largest health care systems. The health system integrates primary and specialty care with research and education, and includes six owned or affiliated hospitals, a 540,000 member health maintenance organization, 22 ambulatory centers and other health-related entities located throughout southeastern Michigan. Last year, the health system recorded 2.5 million ambulatory visits.

Press release from Henry Ford Health System

Reference:

Richard M. Nowak, Charles L. Emerman, Kendyl Schaefer, Rachel L. DiSantostefano, Louis Vaickus and James M. Roach
Levalbuterol compared with racemic albuterol in the treatment of acute asthma: results of a pilot study
The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2004, 22:1, 29-36