Nebulized terbutaline and positive expiratory pressure in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The effect of positive expiratory pressure (PEP) and inhaled terbutaline was evaluated in ten patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a randomized cross-over study with three 2 weeks periods. In one period 5 mg terbutaline was inhaled 3 times daily from a nebulizer combined with PEP. In a second period 5 mg terbutaline was inhaled similarly but without PEP and in a third period placebo inhalations were combined with PEP. Symptom score and peak expiratory flow (PEF) measured before and after each inhalation was noted in a diary. The treatment with nebulized terbutaline combined with PEP gave the best relief in symptoms. All treatments increased PEF significantly. PEP alone gave the least increase in PEF (25 1/min), and there was no difference between the increase in PEF after terbutaline inhaled with PEP (28 1/min) compared to terbutaline alone (29 1/min).