Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Methodology for Sputum Induction and Laboratory Processing
13:28

Methodology for Sputum Induction and Laboratory Processing

Published on: December 17, 2017

Oral salbutamol for symptomatic relief in mild bronchiolitis a double blind randomized placebo controlled trial

Pankaj Gupta1, Anju Aggarwal, Piyush Gupta

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi 110 095, India.

Indian Pediatrics
|August 13, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Oral salbutamol did not significantly shorten illness duration in mild bronchiolitis. This randomized trial found no difference in symptom resolution or hospitalization rates compared to placebo.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

  • Bronchiolitis is a common viral respiratory infection in infants.
  • Current treatments primarily focus on supportive care.
  • The efficacy of bronchodilators like salbutamol in mild cases remains debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of oral salbutamol in providing symptomatic relief for mild acute bronchiolitis in children.
  • To compare the duration of illness and symptom resolution between infants receiving oral salbutamol and those receiving a placebo.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in a tertiary care hospital's Pediatric Outpatient Department.
  • 140 infants diagnosed with mild acute bronchiolitis were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either oral salbutamol (0.1 mg/kg/dose) or placebo three times daily for up to 7 days.
  • Key outcome measures included time to resolution of illness, duration of specific symptoms (fever, cough, coryza, noisy breathing), time to normal feeding and sleep, and hospitalization rates.

Main Results:

  • The median duration for overall illness resolution was similar between the salbutamol group (6 days) and the placebo group (5 days), with no statistically significant difference (P=0.21).
  • No significant differences were observed in the mean duration of fever, cough, coryza, noisy breathing, time to normal feeding/sleep, or hospitalization frequency.
  • Tremors were noted as an adverse effect in 5 infants who received oral salbutamol.

Conclusions:

  • Oral salbutamol is not superior to placebo in reducing the duration of symptoms or illness in children with mild acute bronchiolitis.
  • The findings suggest that routine use of oral salbutamol may not be beneficial for mild cases of bronchiolitis.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma14:39

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma

Published on: November 4, 2010

Related Concept Videos

Antiasthma Drugs: β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists

Bronchodilators are critical in managing asthma, a chronic respiratory condition characterized by airway constriction due to inflammation and hyper-reactivity. Specifically, bronchodilators ease this constriction by relaxing the bronchial muscles, facilitating easier breathing.
One class of bronchodilators includes β2-adrenoceptor agonists. These agents target the β2-adrenoceptors located on bronchial smooth muscle cells. By stimulating these receptors, β2-agonists induce relaxation in these...
Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management01:30

Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management

The diagnosis and management of asthma are comprehensive, encompassing clinical assessments, lung function tests, and pharmacological interventions. Here's an overview:
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids01:26

COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids

Chronic obstructive pulmonary isease (COPD) involves a group of progressive lung disorders characterized by persistent airflow limitation and chronic respiratory symptoms. Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS), encompassing features of both asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a group of progressive lung disorders that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. ACOS leads to complex clinical presentations that combine the inflammatory...
Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview01:17

Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Lower respiratory tract disorders present challenges that often require skilled and nuanced approaches for effective management. Common ailments, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), have prompted the development of intricate treatment strategies involving bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, each tailored to ease breathing and revitalize the lungs.
Bronchodilators, the first step of respiration enhancement, come in various forms, each with its own mechanism...
Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management01:20

Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management

Asthma is a chronic pulmonary condition involving inflammation of the airways, hyper-reactivity, and reversible obstruction of the airways. This condition can significantly impact a person's quality of life, making breathing difficult and leading to distressing symptoms.
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
Adrenergic Agonists: Therapeutic Uses01:30

Adrenergic Agonists: Therapeutic Uses

Adrenergic agonists have diverse therapeutic uses across various medical conditions and emergencies.
Emergency and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) applications: Pressor agents increase blood pressure, heart rate, and contractility in shock and organ failure situations. Dopamine can induce vasodilation and stimulate adrenoceptors. Endogenous catecholamines are effective in treating cardiogenic shock. α2-agonists like clonidine can reverse anesthesia-induced hypertension.
Allergies and anaphylaxis:...