[Simple nebulization of racemic epinephrine in the treatment of acute laryngitis (croup) (author's transl)].

Five infants with acute laryngitis (croup) were treated with nebulized racemic epinephrine. In contrast to previous reports the mist was not delivered by intermittent positive pressure ventilation via a respirator but by simple inhalation via a jet-type nebulizer and face mask. Immediate though only transitory relief of symptoms without any significant alteration of heart rate was achieved by low doses of the diluted drug. Increase in dosage resulted in a moderate elevation of heart rate without improvement in therapeutic action. Inhalations had to be repeated frequently; there were no significant side effects of treatment. Altogether the observed therapeutic actions resembled the reported effects of nebulized epinephrine delivered by intermittent positive pressure ventilation.