A clinical comparison of terbutaline with albuterol administered by metered-dose inhaler

The effects of albuterol and terbutaline administered by metered-dose inhaler were compared via a randomized crossover design. For 20 previously diagnosed asthmatics, spirometric measurements were determined prior to and at nine times post-dose up to six hours. Patients used each drug for a 7-day test period and recorded the occurrence of side effects. As measured by FEV1 and FEF25-75, both drugs caused a rapid and significant bronchodilation of approximately 4-hour duration. For both drugs, there was little effect on blood pressure and heart rate and reported side effects were minimal. There was no statistically significant difference between drugs in pulmonary response nor in any reported side effect.