Therapeutic equivalence of the Sofotec Novolizer to established standard devices in COPD and asthma

The Novolizer is a breath-actuated multidose dry powder inhaler that was developed as an alternative to the pressurized metered dose inhalers. The efficacy, safety and tolerability of the Novolizer has been compared with those of established inhalational devices for the delivery of salbutamol (Sultanol) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and for the administration of budesonide (Pulmicort Turbuhaler) to patients with asthma. In both studies, improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1 s in patients who were randomly assigned to use the Novolizer was comparable with that in patients who used the established devices. Furthermore, no differences in tolerability or safety between the Novolizer and the control devices were observed. Finally, patient acceptance of the Novolizer was high, with the majority of patients who used it stating that they would use the device again.