Inhalation for Asthma: A Comparative Study

Since Barger and Dale (1910) described the chemical structure and sympathomimetic action of adrenaline-like amines, adrenaline and adrenergic drugs have been extensively used for the treatment of asthma. Adrenaline itself is active only when it is given parenterally or by inhalation, whereas the more recently introduced isoprenaline is more stable and can be given by inhalation or as a sublingual tablet, though it is not suitable for parenteral use. Over the past two decades the number of inhalants that have been available for the treatment of asthma has increased enormously. They consist basically of adrenaline or isoprenaline; many proprietary brands also contain other ingredients-for example, atropine sulphate, atropine methonitrate, benzocaine, papaverine, posterior pituitary extract, stramonium, as well as other trace ingredients.