What do systematic reviews say?

Multiple treatment of beta₂‐agonist via spacer (chamber) vs nebuliser

• Holding chambers (spacers) versus nebulisers for beta‐agonist treatment of acute asthma 2013 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  2 studies · 132 participants
  Moderate

Multiple treatment of beta₂‐agonist via spacer (chamber) vs nebuliser

• Holding chambers (spacers) versus nebulisers for beta‐agonist treatment of acute asthma 2013 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  6 studies · 307 participants
  High

Multiple treatment of beta₂‐agonist via spacer (chamber) vs nebuliser

• Holding chambers (spacers) versus nebulisers for beta‐agonist treatment of acute asthma 2013 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  7 studies · 376 participants
  High

Formoterol vs short‐acting beta2‐agonist

Formoterol showed no clear difference in patients with an exacerbation requiring hospitalisation compared with short‐acting beta2‐agonist (moderate certainty).

• Formoterol versus short‐acting beta‐agonists as relief medication for adults and children with asthma 2010 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 0.84 [0.67, 1.04]
  7 studies · 22236 participants
  Moderate

Formoterol vs short‐acting beta2‐agonist

Formoterol probably leads to lower patients with an exacerbation requiring a course of oral… compared with short‐acting beta2‐agonist (moderate certainty).

• Formoterol versus short‐acting beta‐agonists as relief medication for adults and children with asthma 2010 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 0.84 [0.77, 0.91]
  6 studies · 21591 participants
  Moderate

Formoterol vs short‐acting beta2‐agonist

Formoterol showed no clear difference in fatal serious adverse events (all‐cause) compared with short‐acting beta2‐agonist (low certainty).

• Formoterol versus short‐acting beta‐agonists as relief medication for adults and children with asthma 2010 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 1.08 [0.51, 2.3]
  5 studies · 21629 participants
  Low

Formoterol vs short‐acting beta2‐agonist

Formoterol showed no clear difference in patients with a serious adverse event (all cause) compared with short‐acting beta2‐agonist (low certainty).

• Formoterol versus short‐acting beta‐agonists as relief medication for adults and children with asthma 2010 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 0.94 [0.81, 1.08]
  7 studies · 22538 participants
  Low

Formoterol vs short‐acting beta2‐agonist

Formoterol showed no clear difference in patients with a serious adverse event (asthma related) compared with short‐acting beta2‐agonist (low certainty).

• Formoterol versus short‐acting beta‐agonists as relief medication for adults and children with asthma 2010 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 0.91 [0.72, 1.15]
  6 studies · 21986 participants
  Low

Formoterol vs short‐acting beta2‐agonist

Formoterol may leads to higher withdrawals (any reason) compared with short‐acting beta2‐agonist (low certainty).

• Formoterol versus short‐acting beta‐agonists as relief medication for adults and children with asthma 2010 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 1.12 [1.02, 1.24]
  7 studies · 22541 participants
  Low