COMPARATIVE STUDY OF EFFECTS TWO β2 ADRENERGIC AGONISTS ON BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN MODERATE TO SEVERE BRONCHIAL ASTHMA PATIENTS

Background: β2- agonist drugs are frequently prescribed in asthmatics. Apart from bronchodilation they affect biochemical and physical parameters of the body.

Method:  Total 80 patients were divided into two groups. Group I (n=40) received Albuterol- 2.5mg./2.5ml. TDS and Group II (n=40) received Levalbuterol- 0.63mg./2.5ml, TDS via nebulizer for 4 weeks. Baseline and post-treatment estimation of biochemical parameters including, fasting and postprandial plasma glucose levels, serum Na+, serum K+ levels, lipid profile, Monitoring of systolic and diastolic BP and adverse drug effects evaluation were carried out.

Results:   Significantly changes were in serum lipid profile and blood glucose in both the groups but increase was more in group I.  Serum K+ level was decreased significantly (p<0.05) in both groups but decrease was more in group I patients. The fasting and postprandial plasma glucose levels were significantly increased in both the groups but increase was more in group I.  Systolic BP increases and diastolic BP decreases after administration of both drugs. There was no significant change observed in Serum Na+ level after administration of both drugs. After administration of both the drugs, an increase was observed in serum Lipid profile level. Adverse drug profile showed that Levalbuterol produce less adverse effects as compare to Albuterol.

Conclusion: This study concludes that Levalbuterol is safer and it carries fewer incidences of adverse effects as compare to Albuterol.