DOSE FREQUENCY IN THE TREATMENT OF ASTHMATICS WITH INHALED TOPICAL STEROIDS - COMPARISON BETWEEN A TWICE DAILY AND A ONCE DAILY DOSING REGIMEN

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  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 67  (4) , 254-260
Abstract
In 23 stable asthmatic patients sensitivity to inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) was demonstrated during single blind gradual tapering off of BDP. After a 2 week stabilization period the patients were randomly allocated to receive either 4 puffs of 50 .mu.g BDP twice daily (AM/PM) or 8 puffs of 50 .mu.g once daily (AM). After 4 weeks the patients were crossed over. Fifteen patients preferred the twice daily regimen, 5 preferred once daily and 3 had no preference (p < 0.05). During the once daily dosing regimen a decrease in morning and evening peak expiratory flow (p < 0.05) and an increase in nighttime and daytime symptom score (p < 0.05) was found, while the number of inhaled .beta.2-agonist doses did not change significantly (p = 0.05). It is concluded that a twice daily regimen controls the asthmatic symptoms significantly better than a once daily regimen.

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