A Comparison of Two Delivery Methods for Aerosolized Metaproterenol Sulfate

The bronchodilator response to metaproterenol sulfate delivered by metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with a spacer device (Aerochamber®) and by jet nebulizer was studied in 15 asthmatic patients. The mean percent increase in absolute forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) with an MDI plus Aerochamber was 28.6%, and 28.8% with jet nebuliza-tion. There were no significant differences in the mean percent increases in FEV1, forced vital capacity (FVC), maximum midflow rate (MMFR), and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) with the two delivery methods. It is concluded that there is no difference in the bronchodilator responses to metaproterenol sulfate delivered by MDI plus Aerochamber or by jet nebulizer. The MDI plus Aerochamber has the advantage of being less expensive and more convenient to use.