A New Inhalation Technique for Freon Aerosols.

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Abstract
In a double-blind, cross-over, 2-day study 32 adult asthmatic patients compared the bronchodilating effect of 0.5 mg terbutaline sulfate aerosol, administered via a 10 cm tube extension attached to the actuator of a pressurized aerosol, with that of 0.2 mg salbutamol sulfate, administered by a conventional pressurized aerosol. New instructions for the inhalation technique were given for the terbutaline aerosol, dividing the actuation of the aerosol and the slow inhalation into 2 steps. The salbutamol aerosol was to be taken according to the instructions encloded, i.e., coordinating the actuation of the aerosol and the inhalation. The improvement in peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) values was similar for the 2 treatments. Subjective assessments by the patients showed no differences between the 2 regimens. As the effect seems to be equal, an aerosol actuator furnished with a tube extension, with no strict demands of synchronizing the actuation of the aerosol and the inhalation, could be a suitable alternative treatment in patients who find self-administration with conventional asthma aerosols difficult.