Treatment of acute attacks of bronchial asthma. A comparative study of epinephrine (subcutaneous) and fenoterol (inhalation).

Two treatment schedules for the initial treatment of acute asthma were evaluated in 150 children. The treatments were randomized so that 75 patients received the beta-2-agonist fenoterol nebulized by facial mask and 75 patients received epinephrine by subcutaneous injection. No significant differences in cardiovascular side effects occurred among the four groups at any time after the initial treatment. We conclude that inhaled fenoterol and subcutaneous epinephrine are equally effective. We recommend the use of inhaled fenoterol for the treatment of acute asthma to avoid the discomfort of injections.