A comparison of oral terbutaline and fenoterol in asthma

The effects of fenoterol and terbutaline, new beta 2 selective bronchodilators each administered orally in five mgm doses, was assessed in 33 asthmatics treated for six weeks. Both agents appeared to be equally potent bronchodilators with equally prolonged duration of action. Adrenergic side effects were half as frequent with fenoterol as compared to terbutaline. With both agents statistically significant drug tolerance developed--the clinical significance of which is unknown.