COMPARISON OF NEBULIZED TERBUTALINE (TERB) AND SUBCUTANEOUS EPINEPHRINE (EPI) IN THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE ASTHMA

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 50  (6) , 398-401
Abstract
Nebulized terbutaline 5 mg was compared with s.c. epinephrine (1/1000, 0.3 cm3) in the treatment of acute exacerbations of asthma in adult patients. Patients with a known diagnosis of asthma, who presented to the investigators in acute respiratory distress, without any previous adrenergic agents for 6 h were the subjects. There were 33 patients enrolled in the study between 16 and 64 yr of age. Both treatment groups gave significant increases in pulmonary function at all times when compared to baseline (P < 0.001). Nebulized terbutaline and s.c. epinephrine appeared equally effective in the treatment of acute exacerbations of asthma, without significant differences in bronchodilator effectiveness or side effects.