R-albuterol data

SEPR presented Phase II data showing improved lung function in 20 asthmatics treated with the R-isomer form as compared to racemic albuterol. As presented at the European Respiratory Society in Stockholm, the equivalent improvement in lung function was achieved at one-fourth the dose of racemic albuterol, with fewer side effects of tremor and elevated heartbeat (tachycardia) at the two lower doses of R-albuterol (0.31 and 0.63 mg) compared to the higher dose (1.25 mg) and to 2.5 mg of racemic albuterol. Pharmacokinetics showed that higher levels of S-albuterol are present in patients inhaling the racemic mixture of the drug, as the R-form is metabolized faster than the S-form. R-albuterol is responsible for the therapeutic benefit of the drug.

Differences in lung function (measured by FEV1) were statistically significant for all doses of albuterol compared with placebo (p<0.05), the company told BioCentury. ...