Comparison of the bronchodilator action of fenoterol and salbutamol by aerosol administration in patients with bronchial asthma

: A comparison was made between the bronchodilatatory activity of phenoterol (hydroxyphenylorciprenaline) and salbutamol in patients with bronchial asthma. The results showed that both drugs had marked activity at therapeutic doses, though phenoterol was more rapid (within 10 min of inhalation) and more longlasting (up to 6-7 hr). Its loss of therapeutic effect was also slower than that of hitherto experimented drugs.