Combination of salbutamol inhalational powder and tablets in asthma.

A double-blind cross-over trial was conducted to assess the effects of salbutamol administered by inhalation of dry powder, by tablet, and combined tablet and inhalational powder in a sample of 18 severely asthmatic children. The combined treatment had a rapid onset of effect and sustained action. The onset of action of the tablet treatment was less rapid but sustained, whereas the inhalational powder treatment had rapid onset but fairly short action. The response characteristics of the combined treatment were shown to be an additive function of its tablet and inhaled components. Children on the combined or tablet treatment showed a significant, but slight, increase in pulse rate. Few other side effects were observed.