Effect of bronchodilator therapy administered by canister versus jet nebulizer

Bronchodilator efficacy of metaproterenol sulfate aerosol therapy delivered either by canister or jet nebulizer was compared in 25 patients, 13 with severe asthma and 12 with COPD. Treatment was carried out in double-blind crossover fashion on 2 days and consisted of either metaproterenol sulfate solution 15 mg in 2.3 ml administered from a jet nebulizer or three puffs of metered-dose metaproterenol sulfate (total 1.95 mg) inhaled sequentially. FVC and FEV1 were monitored before and after therapy for 2 hr. In 13 asthmatic patients, FEV1 increased from a baseline mean of 0.83 L to 1.57 L at 2 hr after jet nebulizer therapy and increased from 0.84 L to 1.52 L after canister therapy. In 12 patients with COPD, FEV1 increased from 0.58 L to 0.78 L after jet nebulizer therapy and from 0.57 L to 0.76 L after canister therapy. FVC also increased similarly after each form of therapy. The two types of aerosol therapy were equally effective and were without side effects. Canister therapy has the advantage over jet nebulizer therapy by being convenient and cheaper.