Alternative treatment for acute asthmatic crisis

: In a double blind study, 20 patients who presented with acute episodes of asthma were randomized to treatment with nebulized salbutamol (5 mg) of subcutaneous salbutamol (0.5 mg). The clinical conditions were not significantly different before or after treatment in both groups. Significant bronchial dilation was obtained to a similar level in both groups. The heart rate increased significantly in the group treated by subcutaneous injection. Other side effects were minor and similar in both groups. Thus nebulized salbutamol may be used to treat acute asthma in selected patients.