Metered Dose Inhaler Is Cheaper Than Nebulizer for Bronchodilator Treatment of Acute Asthma

Multiple studies demonstrate that bronchodilator administration via metered dose inhaler (MDI) with spacer is as effective as administration via nebulizer for the treatment of acute asthma exacerbation (JW Emerg Med Feb 12 2003). Researchers compared cost of care and efficacy of treatment for the two methods in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 60 adult patients who presented with acute asthma exacerbations to two urban emergency departments. The MDI group received albuterol via MDI and spacer followed by placebo via nebulizer, and the nebulizer group received placebo via MDI and spacer followed by albuterol via nebulizer.

The MDI and nebulizer groups did not differ significantly in median improvement in pe…