Comparison between fenoterol and salbutamol in asthmatic patients.

A comparative study was carried out on 76 asthmatic outpatients concerning their immediate response to the inhalation of Salbutamol and Fenoterol. Bronchodilation was evaluated by repeated peak-flow rate (PFR) determinations. All the patients inhaled two puffs of each of both drugs dispensed by metered aerosols. 131 assays were made and in 18 patients both bronchdilators were used. The mean increase of PFR after Salbutamol (200 microgram) was 15.2% and after Fenoterol (400 microgram), 19.5% this difference not being significant. In 18 patients where both drugs were used the increase in PFR was 19.9% after Fenoterol and 16.7% after Salbutamol. No differences between Fenoterol and Salbutamol in subjective clinical improvement and on pulse rate were observed after the use of these bronchodilators.