Evaluation of a new, shorter method of administration of adrenergic aerosols in the treatment of asthma.

Approximately 15 to 20 minutes are usually required to administer adrenergic agents by nebulization in the treatment of asthma. But young children often do not tolerate these prolonged treatment periods. A "5-breath" method was found to provide comparable improvements in pulmonary function and result in minimal and comparable side effects, but required only one minute to administer. The "5-breath" method may, therefore, be the method of choice in the young or otherwise uncooperative patients.