title: Comparison of albuterol to isoproterenol as a bronchodilator for use in pulmonary function testing.
abstract: We compared the effectiveness of albuterol with isoproterenol as a bronchodilator for use in pulmonary function testing. A total of 180 patients presenting for routine pulmonary function testing were randomly assigned to receive 5 mg of either albuterol or isoproterenol by compressed air nebulizer. Forced expiratory maneuvers were performed before, 5 min after, and 10 min after bronchodilator administration. The average increase in FEV1 and FVC did not differ between drugs. Also, the fraction of patients achieving a clinically significant bronchodilator response did not differ between drugs. Importantly, there was no significant difference between average 5 and 10 min postbronchodilator values for FEV1 or FVC for either bronchodilator, suggesting that a peak response was reached by 5 min. These results show no advantage of isoproterenol over albuterol in terms of potency or speed of action. Given the well-known cardiovascular side effects of isoproterenol, albuterol is the preferable agent for use in pulmonary function testing.
authors.affiliation: Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Physiology and Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance 90509.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Casaburi
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Adame
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D000420:Albuterol; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007545:Isoproterenol; D008875:Middle Aged; D013147:Spirometry; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D007545:Isoproterenol; D000420:Albuterol