[Comparison of the bronchodilating effects of five beta-adrenergic stimulants administered by inhalation to patients with bronchial asthma].

The bronchodilating effects of 5 different beta-adrenergic stimulants, isoproterenol, salbutamol, trimetoquinol, orciprenaline and procaterol were examined in 28 same patients who were in a free period from asthmatic attack. Suitable broncho-constrictive conditions for the comparison of the bronchodilators were produced by having the patients inhale methacholine at the threshold dosage, which had been determined previously for each patient. FEV1 measurements were taken throughout the study. Salbutamol was found to be superior to isoproterenol, trimetoquinol and orciprenaline with respect to bronchodilation and its duration. Procaterol, however, showed a more prolonged effect than salbutamol, although the initial bronchodilation was less remarkable.