Bronchodilatory and side effects of fenoterol hydrobromide (Th1165a; hydroxyphenylorciprenaline; Berotec) and isoproterenol given by inhalation were compared in a double-blind crossover study involving 20 volunteer subjects with reversible obstructive disease of the airways. Subjects inhaled medications from aerosol canisters containing fenoterol hydrobromide (0.1 mg, 0.2 mg, or 0.4 mg) or isoproterenol (0.15 mg) or an inert placebo propellant in a random sequence of five testing days. All active drugs substantially increased the forced expiratory volume in one second, the mean forced expiratory flow during the middle half of the forced vital capacity, and the specific conductance. The onset of bronchodilation after both fenoterol and isoproterenol was rapid, but the effect from fenoterol lasted much longer, up to eight hours. None of the medications cuased significant tachycardia or hypertension. After inhalation of 0.1 mg of fenoterol hydrobromide, none of the subjects reported nervousness, headache, tremor, or nausea, incontrast with results reported for isoproterenol, higher aerosol doses fo fenoterol, or oral administration of fenoterol. No additional therapeutic benefit was found in the administration of higher doses of fenoterol.