Controlled clinical trial of a new dosage form of metaproterenol.

In a double-blind, crossover study of single doses an inhalant solution of metaproterenol was compared with an 0.5% solution of isoproterenol and placebo in nine patients with bronchial asthma and 13 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The solutions were administered by IPPB in 15-minute treatment sessions. The mean duration of effect of metaproterenol, in terms of FEV1, and the magnitude of the FEV1 response to metaproterenol exceeded the isoproterenol data to a statistically significant degree, as did global ratings of response. FEF 25-75% and airway resistance showed similar patterns of response. Adverse experiences were minimal after both drugs.