Improvements in delivery with an extra fine beclomethasone aerosol.

The reformulation of beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) in a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-free propellant, hydrofluoroalkane (HFA), has resulted in improved delivery of medication to the large and small airways, the target site of action of anti-asthmatic therapy. It is hypothesised that this improved delivery of BDP to the airways will translate into improved clinical efficacy in comparison with the previous CFC formulation. This paper reviews the results of three large-scale clinical trials that were designed to test this hypothesis by comparing the efficacy of various doses of Qvar (3M Pharmaceuticals' HFA-BDP formulation) with CFC-BDP in asthmatic patients. It was found that the dose-response relationship of Qvar is shifted to the left compared with CFC-BDP, such that equivalent improvements in asthma control are seen with half the daily dose of Qvar compared with the CFC formulation.