Eur Respir J 1999; 14: 283-287
Copyright © ERS Journals Ltd 1999
Tolerance to beta-agonists during acute bronchoconstriction
RJ Hancox,
RE Aldridge,
JO Cowan,
EM Flannery,
GP Herbison,
CR McLachlan,
GI Town,
and
DR Taylor
Previous reports suggest that regular use of beta-agonists does not lead to tolerance to their bronchodilator effects. However, most studies have been conducted in stable asthma. This study investigates whether bronchodilator tolerance can be demonstrated during acute bronchoconstriction. Thirty-four asthmatic subjects were treated with 6 weeks inhaled terbutaline (1 mg q.i.d.), budesonide (400 microg, b.i.d.), both drugs or placebo in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study. After each treatment methacholine was administered to induce a 20% fall in the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). The response to inhaled salbutamol 100, 100, 200 microg at 5 min intervals) was then measured. Dose-response curves were compared using an analysis of covariance. Pre-methacholine FEV1, the highest pre-methacholine FEV1, the fall in FEV1 induced by methacholine and the logarithm of the provocative dose of methacholine required to induce the 20% fall in FEV1 (PD20) were used as covariates. There was a significantly reduced response to salbutamol after 6 weeks terbutaline treatment: the mean (95% confidence intervals (CI)) area under the dose-response curve was reduced by 36% (24, 47) compared to placebo (p<0.0001). The reduction in bronchodilator response was not affected by concomitant treatment with budesonide. Significant tolerance to the bronchodilator effect of inhaled beta-agonists may be demonstrated when tested during acute bronchoconstriction. Continuous treatment with inhaled beta-agonists may lead to a reduced response to emergency beta-agonist treatment during asthma exacerbations.
This article has been cited by other articles:

|
 |

|
 |
 
K. Blake, R. Madabushi, H. Derendorf, and J. Lima
Population Pharmacodynamic Model of Bronchodilator Response to Inhaled Albuterol in Children and Adults With Asthma
Chest,
November 1, 2008;
134(5):
981 - 989.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S. R. Salpeter
Safety of Long-Acting {beta}-Agonists.
Ann Intern Med,
November 7, 2006;
145(9):
708 - 710.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
H. K. Reddel and D. J. Barnes
Pharmacological strategies for self-management of asthma exacerbations.
Eur. Respir. J.,
July 1, 2006;
28(1):
182 - 199.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S. R. Salpeter, N. S. Buckley, T. M. Ormiston, and E. E. Salpeter
Meta-Analysis: Effect of Long-Acting {beta}-Agonists on Severe Asthma Exacerbations and Asthma-Related Deaths
Ann Intern Med,
June 20, 2006;
144(12):
904 - 912.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. A. Giembycz and R. Newton
Beyond the dogma: novel {beta}2-adrenoceptor signalling in the airways.
Eur. Respir. J.,
June 1, 2006;
27(6):
1286 - 1306.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
H. J. van der Woude, J. Zaagsma, D. S. Postma, T. H. Winter, M. van Hulst, and R. Aalbers
Detrimental Effects of {beta}-Blockers in COPD: A Concern for Nonselective {beta}-Blockers
Chest,
March 1, 2005;
127(3):
818 - 824.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S. R. Salpeter, T. M. Ormiston, and E. E. Salpeter
Meta-Analysis: Respiratory Tolerance to Regular {beta}2-Agonist Use in Patients with Asthma
Ann Intern Med,
May 18, 2004;
140(10):
802 - 813.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J.M. Wraight, R.J. Hancox, G.P. Herbison, J.O. Cowan, E.M. Flannery, and D.R. Taylor
Bronchodilator tolerance: the impact of increasing bronchoconstriction
Eur. Respir. J.,
May 1, 2003;
21(5):
810 - 815.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
Leader of the Working Group: E. Pizzichini, Members of the Working Group:, M.M.M. Pizzichini, R. Leigh, R. Djukanovic, and P.J. Sterk
Safety of sputum induction
Eur. Respir. J.,
July 1, 2002;
20(37_suppl):
9S - 18s.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
R. J. Hancox, P. Subbarao, D. Kamada, R. M. Watson, F. E. Hargreave, and M. D. Inman
beta 2-Agonist Tolerance and Exercise-induced Bronchospasm
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
April 15, 2002;
165(8):
1068 - 1070.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
A. ten BRINKE, C. de LANGE, A. H. ZWINDERMAN, K. F. RABE, P. J. STERK, and E. H. BEL
Sputum Induction in Severe Asthma by a Standardized Protocol . Predictors of Excessive Bronchoconstriction
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,
September 1, 2001;
164(5):
749 - 753.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
H J van der Woude, T H Winter, and R Aalbers
Decreased bronchodilating effect of salbutamol in relieving methacholine induced moderate to severe bronchoconstriction during high dose treatment with long acting {beta}2 agonists
Thorax,
July 1, 2001;
56(7):
529 - 535.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
D. Giannini, A. Di Franco, E. Bacci, F. L. Dente, M. L. Bartoli, B. Vagaggini, and P. Paggiaro
Tolerance to the Protective Effect of Salmeterol on Allergen Challenge Can Be Partially Restored by the Withdrawal of Salmeterol Regular Treatment
Chest,
June 1, 2001;
119(6):
1671 - 1675.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S.L. Jones, J.O. Cowan, E.M. Flannery, R.J. Hancox, G.P. Herbison, and D.R. Taylor
Reversing acute bronchoconstriction in asthma: the effect of bronchodilator tolerance after treatment with formoterol
Eur. Respir. J.,
March 1, 2001;
17(3):
368 - 373.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
D R Taylor and R J Hancox
Interactions between corticosteroids and beta agonists
Thorax,
July 1, 2000;
55(7):
595 - 602.
[Full Text]
|
 |
|
Copyright © 1999 by the European Respiratory Society.
|