Respiratory function on asthmatic patients using beclomethasone dipropionate administered by pressurised aerosol

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Abstract
Beclomethasone dipropionate has been used by inhalation from a pressurised aerosol by asthmatic patients. In 28 out of 39 patients, it was possible to discontinue oral steroids within 28 days. The length of the study varied from 6 weeks to 28 weeks with an average of 19 weeks. Once the patients had been taken off oral steroids, beclomethasone dipropionate provided the only form of corticosteroid therapy during the period of the study. Clinically, the steroid aerosol provided the expected benefits observed when oral corticosteroids are given to asthmatic patients. In each case there was a rise in plasma Cortisol level which was confirmed by tetracosactrin stimulation tests. This return of adrenal response supports the theory that inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate acts in a similar manner to oral corticosteroids, but does not exhibit the same systemic effect. Airways resistance and lung volumes remained within a constant band throughout the study in spite of complete withdrawal of oral steroids from 28 of the 39 patients. Eleven of the 39 patients had frequent fluctuations in airways resistance, but were, by the end of the study, receiving considerably reduced doses of oral steroids. Only 2 patients completed the study on a higher dose of oral steroids than that on which they entered.