A comparative study of aerosolized terbutaline and subcutaneously administered epinephrine in the treatment of acute bronchial asthma.

Patients with acute asthmatic attacks were prospectively randomized to receive either aerosolized terbutaline or subcutaneous epinephrine. After treatment there was comparable improvement in pulmonary function in both groups after two, 30 and 60 minutes. There was a significant increase in pulse rate with epinephrine that was not seen with terbutaline.