INHALED ATROPINE SULFATE - DOSE-RESPONSE CHARACTERISTICS IN ADULT PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC AIR-FLOW OBSTRUCTION

Abstract
Dose-response characteristics of inhaled atropine sulfate were examined in 10 patients with chronic airflow obstruction using spirometric and plethysmographic measurements. Inhaled atropine in doses of 0.005, 0.01, 0.025 and 0.05 mg/kg of body wt and placebo were delivered by means of a precision metering device. All pulmonary function tests improved progressively with increasing dose. There was a high degree of linear correlation between the peak response of each test and the logarithm of dose (r .gtoreq. 0.98). The highest dose studied (0.05 mg/kg) had marginal benefit over 0.025 mg/kg, and had the highest incidence of adverse reactions. Duration of effect was dependent on dose. For adult patients with chronic airflow obstruction, 0.025 mg/kg delivered by a dosimeter apparently approximates the optimally effective dose of inhaled atropine sulfate that can be given without unacceptable side effects.