The Effect of Osmolarity of Respiratory Salbutamol Solutions on Exercise-Induced Asthma in Children

The effect of an inhaled beta₂ agonist (Salbutamol) in two solutions was studied in 17 asthmatic patients by comparing its blocking effect on exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. Salbutamol 0.5 ml was given by inhalation either with 2 ml 0.9% saline (230 mOsm) or with 2 ml of sodium cromoglycate (38 mOsm). The mean FEV₁ after exercise, pretreated with Salbutamol in sodium cromoglycate solution, was 94 ± 14% of predicted values, and the mean FEV₁ after exercise pretreated with Salbutamol in normal saline was 97 ± 14%. There was no statistically significant difference (p < 0.1) between these values. The conclusion of this study is that there is no advantage for any of these solutions when used as a diluent for Salbutamol.