Asthma is a multifaceted syndrome presented by potentially permanent airway obstruction, multicellular inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. It is characterized by dyspnea, cough, chest tightness, wheezing, variable airflow obstruction, and airway hyper-responsiveness. The author of the present study contrasted the effect of monotherapy with racemic salbutamol and levosalbutamol on symptoms, quality of life, and pulmonary function in mild persistent asthma.

This randomized clinical study included 60 patients with mild persistent asthma. These patients were randomized into two groups of 30 patients each to receive either salbutamol, or levosalbutamol 30 for 4 weeks, after baseline assessments. The efficacy variables were change in asthma symptom scoring, pulmonary function test, and Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (MiniAQLQ) scoring. These patients were re-assessed and by statistical tools at follow-up.

The results showed that shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheeze, cough, and overall asthma symptom score were remarkably reduced in the levosalbutamol group in contrast to the salbutamol group. The outcome of MiniAQLQ showed marked improvement in symptoms, activity limitations, environmental stimuli-related scoring and overall MiniAQLQ scoring in the levosalbutamol group in comparison to salbutamol group. Superior percentage reversibility of forced expiratory volume at one second, forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow rate was found in the levosalbutamol group than salbutamol group.

Hence, the study established that levosalbutamol is a superior agent in comparison to racemic salbutamol in ameliorating symptoms like cough in mild persistent asthma.

Source: Indian J Pharmacol. 2011;43(6):638-643.