Turbuhaler or nebulizer therapy in severe COPD

Terbutaline inhalations by the Turbuhaler as replacement for domiciliary nebulizer therapy in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are often treated with high dose inhalations of beta 2-agonists. We compared domiciliary therapy with terbutaline administered by the Turbuhaler and by a jet nebulizer. Forty nebulizer users with severe COPD were included in the randomized, double-blind, cross-over study. Terbutaline was inhaled t.i.d. for 2 weeks as dry powder (5 doses...

Terbutaline as powder inhalation from Bricanyl Turbuhaler compared to terbutaline as nebulizer solution in severe chronic airways obstruction.

Twenty two adults with severe chronic airways obstruction--FEV1 from 14 to 57% of predicted--participated on two consecutive days in an open cross over comparison of inhalation of 2 mg terbutaline powder by Bricanyl Turbuhaler and 5 mg terbutaline by a conventional jet nebulizer (Pari Inhalierboy). All participants were domiciliary users of nebulized terbutaline previous to inclusion in this st...

Sympathomimetics in acute severe asthma: inhaled or parenteral, nebulizer or spacer?

It is accepted today that all patients with acute asthma should be treated with a sympathomimetic, irrespective of previous therapy. This short review addresses the question of the optimal mode of administration of these drugs in acute severe asthma. Inhaled sympathomimetics are as effective as subcutaneous adrenaline, or intravenous salbutamol or terbutaline, and, as they produce fewer side-ef...

Lymphoid follicles in (very) severe COPD: beneficial or harmful?

Inflammation is a main pathogenetic factor in the development and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Recently, it has become clear that not only the innate, but also the specific immune response plays a role. A striking finding, in particular in lungs of patients with severe COPD, often with a predominant emphysema phenotype, is the presence of B-cell follicles. As see...

Life expectancy in severe COPD.