BACKGROUND The mainstay of treatment for acute asthma in children is nebulised beta 2-adrenergic agents such as salbutamol, given with corticosteroids. However, penetration of the drug to the small airways is impeded by obstruction so intravenous salbutamol may be more effective. We assessed the use of intravenous salbutamol in the management of children with acute severe asthma in a double-bli...

BACKGROUND Premedication with beta-2 agonists (e.g. salbutamol) is effective in preventing increases in total respiratory resistance and in decreasing the incidence of perioperative bronchospasm in asthmatic children. Because children with recent respiratory tract infection (RTI) exhibit bronchial hyperreactivity similar to that observed in asthmatic children, the use of salbutamol in children ...

Carrier erythrocytes are emerging as one of the most promising biological drug delivery systems investigated in recent decades. Beside its biocompatibility, biodegradability and ability to circulate throughout the body, it has the ability to perform extended release system of the drug for a long period. The ultimate goal of this study is to introduce a new carrier system for Salbutamol, maintai...

BACKGROUND Intravenous salbutamol (albuterol) reduces lung water in patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Experimental data show that it also reduces pulmonary neutrophil accumulation or activation and inflammation in ARDS. AIM To investigate the effects of salbutamol on neutrophil function. METHODS The in vitro effects of salbutamol on neutrophil function were deter...

A previously published nested case-control study, the Saskatchewan Asthma Epidemiologic Project (SAEP) spanning 1980-1987, investigated the risk of fatal or near fatal asthma and found different risks for two inhaled ^-agonists, fenoterol and salbutamol. The authors assessed whether this companson was confounded by indication because of channeling of inhaled fenoterol to more severely afflicted...

1. Airway, metabolic and cyclic nucleotide responses to intravenous salbutamol were measured in five patients with mild asthma who had taken no medication in the week before the study. The studies were repeated after the patient had taken regular inhaled salbutamol for 4 weeks, in doses increasing to 2000 micrograms daily in week 4. 2. The pretreatment airway, metabolic and cyclic nucleotide re...

BACKGROUND Patients admitted with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are often prescribed ipratropium bromide in combination with a beta 2 agonist such as salbutamol. Studies have not shown any benefit in adding ipratropium bromide to salbutamol in acute exacerbations of COPD, but these studies have only assessed patients for 60-90 minutes and short term studies ...

Passive dry-powder inhalers (DPIs) have been developed as an alternative to pressurised metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) to improve aerosol delivery on inhalation and eliminate the need for propellants. However, new DPI formulations of generic drugs must be rigorously compared with conventional pMDI therapy. This randomised, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled, seven-way crossover study...

BACKGROUND Inhalation therapy using a pressured metered dose inhaler (pMDI) and a spacer is frequently used in the treatment of airway disease in children. Several laboratory studies found a clear negative influence of electrostatic charge (ESC) on plastic spacers on the delivery of aerosol. AIMS To investigate whether ESC on plastic spacers could diminish bronchodilating responses to salbuta...

Inhaled sympathomimetic agents are often used in bronchiolitis with little objective evidence of benefit. The arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) reflects the adequacy of ventilation-perfusion balance. The aim of the current study was to determine the effect of inhaled salbutamol on SaO2. In a randomised, double blind study, 21 infants, admitted with bronchiolitis positive for respiratory syncyti...