Abstract

A wave of asthma deaths in the 1960s was, at first, linked with overuse of bronchodilator aerosols, especially isoprenaline.¹ Later studies have, however, attributed it to poor assessment and treatment of the attacks.^2,3 A distinct geographic trend was also seen at this time. New Zealand had a higher mortality than the UK in 1966 (28 v. 22/million) which reached a peak in 1979 (41 v. 8/million).⁴ The New Zealand Medical Research Council investigated this problem and their recent report blames the use of fenoterol (Berotec), a relatively selective β₂ adrenoceptor agonist.^5,6 This article reviews the safety of fenoterol in the treatment of asthma.