A comparative study of a new selective beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist, procaterol and salbutamol in asthma.

The effects of single oral doses of a new selective beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist procaterol (0.05 mg and 0.1 mg) and salbutamol (4 mg) on ventilatory function, were compared in 24 asthmatic patients. A bronchodilator effect of similar duration and magnitude followed all three treatments with no evidence of a dose-related response in the case of procaterol. There was no significant difference in blood pressure or heart rate responses or pattern of unwanted effects. We conclude that procaterol and salbutamol are clinically similar with oral dosing and that the maximum effective dose of procaterol is not greater than 0.05 mg.