ABSTRACTTwelve children with asthma and persistent airflow obstruction were studied to determine the degree and duration of bronchodilation achieved following oral fenoterol compared to oral salbutamol. Each child received oral fenoterol, oral salbutamol or placebo in a randomized double‐blind manner and pulmonary function was recorded up to 6 h after the dose. The baseline FEV1, did not differ between the three groups. The responses to oral fenoterol and salbutamol, measured as the percentage change from the baseline FEV1, were significantly greater from 1 to 6 h after treatment compared with responses to placebo but there were no significant differences in the responses to the two active medications. It is concluded that, using the manufacturers' recommended doses, there is no difference between oral fenoterol and oral salbutamol in term of their bronchodilator effectiveness and duration of actio