Respiration; international review of thoracic diseases
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Inhalation by nebulization of albuterol-ipratropium combination (Dey combination) is superior to either agent alone in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Dey Combination Solution Study Group.
Combination bronchodilator therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) potentially can provide increased benefit over single-agent therapy. The objective of this double-blind, randomized, positive-control trial was to determine the effectiveness of an albuterol-ipratropium solution aerosol combination (Dey combination solution, Dey LP, Napa, Calif., USA) compared with solution aerosols of both component medications administered alone in patients with COPD. The trial consisted of a 6-week, 3-period crossover phase followed by a 6-week parallel phase during which patients self-administered study medications by inhalation from a nebulizer. ⋯ The use of Dey combination during the crossover phase resulted in 24% more improvement in peak FEV1 than was seen with albuterol alone (p < 0.001), and 37% more than was seen with ipratropium alone (p < 0.001). Similarly, when examining FEV1-AUC0-8, Dey combination resulted in 30% more improvement than was seen with albuterol alone (p < 0.001), and 32% more than was seen with ipratropium alone (p < 0.001). The combination affords a convenient dosing regimen and incorporates enhanced benefit without compromising the safety profile of either component agent.