Oxitropium, salbutamol and their combination in asthma

Oxitropium bromide is an anticholinergic bronchodilator. In a randomized, controlled, single-dose study with 12 asthmatics we compared 2 metered aerosol doses of salbutamol (200 micrograms and 400 micrograms) with oxitropium bromide (200 micrograms), and the combination of oxitropium bromide (200 micrograms) and salbutamol (200 micrograms). Salbutamol acted more rapidly than oxitropium. There were no differences between the two drugs at 360 min. The combination of both drugs produced a better response than the individual drugs alone, but salbutamol in a dose of 400 micrograms caused the best response throughout the whole follow-up.