[The effect of formoterol on light or moderate bronchial asthma due to allergy to Parietaria officinalis].

We have evaluated the effect of formoterol in 28 patients (20 males and 8 females, mean age 25.4 years) affected by mild or moderate bronchial asthma due to Parietaria allergy. Inhaled formoterol was given at the dosage of 24 mg twice a day for 10 weeks during the pollen season. Patients had to record daily the peak respiratory flow, the severity and the number of asthmatic attacks and the severity of cough. Moreover they had to report the use of additional bronchodilators and the possible side effects. The treatment with formoterol obtained in increase of PEF values from 254 +/- 6.1 to 329 +/- 6.1 l/min in the morning and from 237 +/- 7.1 to 365 +/- 7.1 l/min in the evening. A significant improvement on the number of asthmatic attacks and on the cough was also obtained. No side effects have been reported. Our results show the safety and the efficacy of formoterol in the treatment of mild or moderate bronchial asthma.