Spacer devices are as good as nebulisers in acute asthma

Spacer devices for delivering inhaled drugs from pressurised metered dose inhalers are as effective as nebulisers in acute asthma. Short courses of oral corticosteroids and ipratropium bromide added to ₂ agonists are beneficial for acute exacerbations. A clinical review by FitzGerald (p 841) also showed that continuous nebulised delivery of bronchodilators and oxygen supplementation are likely to be beneficial for acute asthma, as are intravenous magnesium sulphate for people with more severe acute asthma and mechanical ventilation for people with near fatal asthma. Specialist rather than generalist care for acute exacerbations and asthma education for people with acute asthma are also likely to be beneficial. It is not clear whether intravenous nebulised delivery of short acting ₂ agonists is effective for acute asthma.

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Relevant Article

Extracts from "Clinical Evidence": Acute asthma

Mark FitzGerald
BMJ 2001 323: 841-845. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]