Comparative Study of Two Nebulized Preparations of Salbutamol in Children

Aim: Salbutamol is the main treatment for asthma attacks. It can be given via inhaler, nebulizer or oral route. Nebulization is mainly used at emergency departments. The aim of our study is to compare the clinical efficacy of two nebulized salbutamol preparations Ventolin® GSK and Asthalin® CIPLA. Methods: We conducted a prospective double blind randomized trial between April and December 2017 in which 30 children with asthma were included. Children were assigned randomly to receive nebulized Asthalin® or Ventolin®, with 15 patients included in each study arm. For each patient, oxygen saturation, presence of wheezing, retractions and thoraco-abdominal asynchrony, before and after Salbutamol nebulization were recorded. The effect of each treatment dose on oxygen saturation and respiratory rate after stratification of the initial population was analyzed. Results: Ventolin® increased oxygen saturation by 1.87% and decreased respiratory rate by 10.87 breaths per minute, while Asthalin® improved oxygen saturation by 1.8% and decreased respiratory rate by 9.53 breaths per minute. However, the difference was not significant as it was not significant for respiratory symptoms improvement and need for oxygenation and hospitalization rates. Conclusion: There is no significant difference between Ventolin® and Asthalin® when given via nebulization. Both treatments improved oxygen saturation, respiratory rate and respiratory symptoms similarly.