Bronchodilator effects of clemastine, ipratropium bromide, and salbutamol in preschool children with asthma

Abstract

The bronchodilator activity of nebulised salbutamol, ipratropium bromide, clemastine, and a placebo was studied in 14 asthmatic children aged between 3 and 5 years. Changes in lung function were monitored by measuring peak expiratory flow rate and total respiratory resistance using a modification of the forced oscillation technique. Ipratropium bromide produced a degree of bronchodilatation similar to that of salbutamol, but the bronchodilator activity of clemastine was not appreciably better than for the placebo.