Comparison of terbutaline and salbutamol aerosols.

The bronchodilator effects of terbutaline, 500 microng, and salbutamol, 200 microng, by pressurised aerosol were compared in 16 patients (eight asthma, eight chronic bronchitis with asthma). Salbutamol produced greater bronchodilatation than terbutaline for the initial hour after inhalation. Thereafter, there was no difference in action and an effective bronchodilator response was maintained by each drug for at least four hours. beta2-adrenoceptor stimulating drugs by inhalation are widely used in the treatment of asthma. The purpose of this study was to compare the bronchodilator efficacies of two of these drugs, terbutaline and salbutamol by pressurised aerosol, in patients with partially reversible airways obstruction.