Safety and efficacy of salbutamol aerosol on Dermatophagoides farinae induced bronchospasm in asthmatic patients.

The effects of inhaled salbutamol in bronchial provocation with inhaled house dust mite allergen (HDM) were studied in 20 adult subjects with bronchial asthma and positive skin test to the allergen. There was a significant association between the skin test and the outcome of bronchial challenge, although the magnitude of the skin test reactivity was not significantly correlated with the degree of bronchial reactivity. Metered dose inhaler administration of salbutamol (200 gamma total) was started after antigen produced a fall in mean FEV1 to 31%. Salbutamol treatment returned the FEV1 within 5 min to 66%, and within 45 min to 91% of baseline in all but one patient. It appears that in most asthmatics inhaled salbutamol does significantly and immediately reverse HDM-induced bronchospasm.