Double-blind comparison of tulobuterol and salbutamol in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

A double-blind study compared tulobuterol (2 mg BID), a new beta 2-adrenergic agent, with salbutamol (2 mg TID) in 40 hospitalized men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The study evaluated the bronchospasmolytic effects of the two drugs and their selectivity of action. Measurements and observations were made for six hours after the first oral dose, daily during nine days of continuous therapy, and for 12 hours after the final dose on the tenth day. Results show that the tulobuterol regimen produced a significant (P less than 0.01) improvement of the forced expiratory volume in one second equal to an increase of 25% above the pretreatment value, versus 16% with the salbutamol regimen. Cardiovascular effects appeared more rapidly with tulobuterol, but they stabilized to values lower than those observed with salbutamol. No clinically important adverse reactions were reported other than slight tremor, which was not objectionable.