The efficacy and safety of a controlled release formulation of salbutamol in the management of patients with asthma in Nairobi, Kenya.

The treatment of asthma in Africa is influenced by cultural and environmental factors as well as the availability of drugs. Poor compliance with regard to long-term maintenance treatment of chronic asthma is also a problem in Africa. The present study reports on 45 patients from 2 centres in Nairobi treated with 8 mg twice daily of an oral controlled release formulation of salbutamol ("Volmax"). The treatment produced a significant improvement in lung function measured by the PEFR compared with baseline data on previous therapy. Controlled release salbutamol was rated as effective or very effective by 84.2% of patients and for 81.6% of patients their physicians preferred this preparation to the therapy used before the study. Side effects were infrequent and usually occurred during the first few days of treatment. The study which is the first report in Africa to assess this novel formulation of salbutamol in a group of African patients, demonstrates that controlled release salbutamol 8 mg administered twice daily is safe and effective, offering benefits over current therapies in the treatment of asthma.