tokens: Twelve asthmatic patients ( FEV1 , 81 + / - 4 % predicted ) , requiring only occasional inhaled beta - agonists as their sole therapy , were given a 14 - day treatment with high dose inhaled salbutamol ( HDS ) , 4 , 000 micrograms daily , low dose inhaled salbutamol ( LDS ) , 800 micrograms daily , or placebo ( PI ) by metered - dose inhaler in a double - blind , randomized crossover design .