A comparative assessment of carbuterol, fenoterol and hexoprenaline in allergic asthma

Carbuterol tablets (2,0 mg) were compared with the tablets of fenoterol (2,5 mg) and hexoprenaline (1 mg). The three drugs were shown to be equally effective for a period of 4 hours, but carbuterol and fenoterol exerted a statistically significant bronchodilating action for 7 and 8 hours respectively, while the action of hexoprenaline lasted for 4 hours in the majority of patients. The aerosols of carbuterol (200 mg) and fenoterol (400 mg) appeared to be similar in inhibiting exercise-induced asthma, whereas hexoprenaline (200 mg) did not appear to be as effective.