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Comparison of high dose versus low dose salbutamol in acute adult asthmatics presenting to the Emergency Department.

A non-inferiority comparison of low versus high salbutamol dosing regimens via MDI in mild to moderate exacerbations of asthma in adults presenting to the emergency department: a randomized controlled trial.

Status
Terminated
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ANZCTR
Registry ID
ACTRN12618000397213
Enrollment
21
Registered
2018-03-20
Start date
2019-08-01
Completion date
2021-03-02
Last updated
2023-10-03

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

Despite extensive standard practice of the use of salbutamol in the treatment of acute asthma exacerbations, it is unclear how much should be given. This ambiguity has led clinicians to often give more than required salbutamol doses due to a perceived better outcome with higher doses. This can lead to multiple unpleasant side effects and reduces the tolerability of the treatment amongst patient groups. We are carrying out a blinded randomised controlled trial to compare a higher dose against a lower dose of salbutamol in acute asthma presentations to the emergency department. We aim to compare several outcomes in both groups, including improvement in lung function, length of hospital stay, rates of admission to hospital and adverse events. This is a non-inferiority study and we hypothesise that there will be no difference in outcome in both groups.

Interventions

Salbutamol administered via 100mcg actuation MDI and spacer. 10 puffs every 20minutes over 1 hour. This will be monitored by the trial investigator.

Sponsors

Medical Research Institute of New Zealand
Lead SponsorOther

Study design

Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

• Doctor diagnosis of asthma • Age 18 to 65 years • Presentation to ED with a mild- moderate asthma exacerbation • PEF 50 to 75% of predicted • Concomitant asthma medication may include: none, ICS, ICS/LABA, theophylline, LTRA, oral steroids, sodium cromoglycate, nedocromil sodium

Exclusion criteria

• Inability to perform spirometry • Requirement for Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) or intubation • Diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ANZCTR · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026