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Salbutamol versus theophylline for wheezy infant
JPMA. the Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association
|July 27, 2001
Summary
Salbutamol is better tolerated by infants than theophylline, with fewer adverse events. Both medications demonstrated equal effectiveness in treating wheezing in infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Wheezing is a common respiratory symptom in infants, often requiring bronchodilator therapy.
- Salbutamol and theophylline are commonly used bronchodilators, but their comparative tolerability and efficacy in infants are not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the tolerability and efficacy of salbutamol versus theophylline in treating wheezy infants.
Main Methods:
- A prospective parallel group study was conducted on 95 wheezy infants admitted to a pediatric ward.
- Outcomes assessed included drug palatability, clinical efficacy, and adverse events.
Main Results:
- Salbutamol was significantly more palatable than theophylline (P < 0.001).
- Adverse events were more frequent in the theophylline group (47.4%) compared to the salbutamol group (24.4%).
- The clinical efficacy of both drugs for bronchodilation was comparable (P > 0.1).
Conclusions:
- Salbutamol offers better tolerability in infants compared to theophylline.
- Both salbutamol and theophylline are equally effective for bronchodilation in infantile wheezing.