The bronchodilator effect of salbutamol administered by IPPB to patients with asthma. A controlled comparison with isoproterenol and placebo.

The bronchodilator and cardiovascular activity of isoproterenol hydrochloride (Isuprel) 5.0 mg, Salbutamol 5.0 and 2.5 mg and saline administered by IPPB to 30 patients with chronic bronchial asthma were determined and compared. Equal doses of isoproterenol and Salbutamol had similar peak bronchodilator effect, but the peak effect was reached much earlier with isoproterenoL Salbutamol bad longer and more persistent bronchodilator activity without any appreciable increase in heart rate; rather, a decrease hi heart rate ensued at the height of the bronchodilator activity. The bronchodilator activity of Salbutamol is dose dependent. While 5.0 mg Saihutainol showed a more prominent bronchodilator activity, 2.5 mg Salbutamol was better tolerated. It was concluded that Salbutainol, at a dose of 2.5 to 5.0 mg administered in the form of an aerosol by LPPB, provides a more usefut short term treatment of asthma than isoproterenoL