RT Journal
A1 Kriz RJ
T1 AErosol corticosteroids in the treatment of bronchial asthma
JF Archives of Internal Medicine
JO Archives of Internal Medicine
YR 1978
FD September 1
VO 138
IS 9
SP 1333
OP 1333
DO 10.1001/archinte.1978.03630340007003
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinte.1978.03630340007003
AB Considerable advances have been made in the treatment of patients with steroid-dependent asthma. Unfortunately, aerosolized administration of hydrocortisone,1,2 prednisolone,3 and dexamethasone4 failed to provide relief without suppressing adrenal function. Aerosol beclomethasone dipropionate5 has greater topical activity and can achieve control over asthma without adrenal suppression. Grieco et al in this issue (p 1337) demonstrate that aerosol triamcinolone acetonide also has sufficient topical activity to provide results that are equivalent to those shown by aerosol beclomethasone dipropionate.A few major points need to be stressed when aerosol corticosteroids are used. Using aerosol beclomethasone dipropionate, Toogood et al6 have shown that higher doses of the aerosol provide greater control over asthma. As demonstrated by Grieco et al, maximum improvement in the forced expiratory volume in the first second and the forced vital capacity occurs within two weeks, but the oral dose of prednisone is decreased more slowly.