Mouth spraying versus inhalation of fenoterol aerosol in healthy subjects and asthmatic patients.

Four hundred micrograms of fenoterol aerosol were administered to 10 healthy subjects and nine asthmatic patients. Fenoterol was either inhaled or sprayed into the mouth carefully avoiding inhalation. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1.0), maximal expiratory flow rates (MEFR), specific airways conductance (sGaw), total lung capacity (TLC), residual volume (RV), and heart rate (HR) were measured before and up to one hour after fenoterol administration. FVC, FEV1.0, MEFR and sGaw increased significantly after inhalation of fenoterol in both asthmatic patients and healthy subjects. The increase was significantly greater in the asthmatic group. After buccal administration of fenoterol FVC, FEV1.0 and sGaw increased significantly in both asthmatic patients and healthy subjects, and there was no significant difference between the two groups. Increased heart rate and side effects were observed only in healthy subjects and only after inhalation. Buccal administration of fenoterol to both asthmatic patients and healthy subjects induced a clearcut bronchodilation (though less than that produced by inhalation), probably by absorption of the drug through the oral mucosa.