Nebulized Salbutamol with and without Ipratropium Bromide in the treatment of acute Severe Asthma

Objective: To see the additional benefit of combined nebulization with salbutamol and ipratropium bromide verses salbutamol alone in Acute Severe Asthmatic (ASA) patients. Goal: To determine whether Ipratropium bromide augments the bronchodilator effect of dose of salbutamol in acute severe asthmatic patients. Methods: Sixty asthmatics in the age range 18 to 60 years were divided into two equal groups. Group A (control group) were nebulized with salbutamol in a dosage of 2.5ml mixed with 2ml normal saline (sodium chloride) solution, and in another Group B (treatment group), were nebulized with combined salbutamol 2.5mg and ipratropium bromide 500 mcg diluted with 2 ml of normal saline solution at every 30 minutes interval. PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) performed at 30 minutes and 60 minutes. Results: The mean absolute difference in (FEV at 30 minutes was 150 ±  24 ml in favour of combined group-B, when compared with the salbutamol alone (group-A). Conclusion: Combined nebulization with salbutamol and Ipratropium Bromide is more beneficial than salbutamol alone in acute severe asthma.