[Salbutamol in asthma treatment: with nebulizer or inhaler?]

Abstract

Breath relieving and protective drugs in asthma treatment are applied through pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI), nebulizer or dry powder inhaler. The short acting beta-2 agonist salbutamol used in acute asthma exacerbation is found in the forms of nebule or pMDI in Turkey. Nebule form is used more frequently in emergency services. The aim of this review is to compare these two routes of administration through clinical efficacy, the amount of drug reaching to the lungs and adverse events comprehensively by way of looking through the studies. Additionally effect of different inhalation techniques through chambers, different methods used in cleaning of them and different types of nebulizers, to the efficacy are investigated. As a result, asthma exacerbation can be treated with pMDIs used through holding chambers in emergency room successfully when applied with dosing scheme appropriate for the patient's age, weight and severity of exacerbation (usually 1/4th of nebule dosing) on the contrary to ordinary method of nebulizers.