Comparison of inhaled and intravenous terbutaline in acute severe asthma.

In patients with acute severe asthma, 5 mg of terbutaline by inhalation and 500 microgram intravenously in divided doses both produced equally effective but not maximal bronchodilatation. There was no difference in the production of side-effects. These results support the view that inhaled therapy can be as effective in patients with acute severe asthma as injected treatment. In view of the risks of intravenous treatment, especially using high doses, inhaled bronchodilator therapy would seem advisable as initial treatment.