Bronchodilator responses to nebulised ipratropium and salbutamol singly and in combination in chronic bronchitis

A placebo controlled study compared the magnitude and duration of bronchodilatation produced by nebulised salbutamol (5 mg) and ipratropium (0.5 mg) singly and in combination in twenty patients with chronic bronchitis (mean baseline FEV1 was 33% predicted). The onset of action, of both nebulised salbutamol and ipratropium given singly, occurred within 15 min. Both agents produced a similar degree of bronchodilatation. In combination both the magnitude and duration of the bronchodilatation produced was significantly greater than with either agent alone.