Adrenocortical suppression following treatment with beclomethasone and budesonide.

The study was carried out to compare the adrenocortical suppression caused by inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) with the suppression caused by budesonide (Bu). The study was of an open cross-over design. Sixteen children with asthma were treated with high-dose inhaled BDP and Bu via a 750 ml spacer (Nebuhaler). Each drug was used for periods of 6 weeks. The 24-hr urinary cortisol excretion was unchanged in 11 subjects. A reproducible suppression of the urinary cortisol excretion was shown in three subjects following BDP and in two subjects following treatment with Bu. The results of the study indicate the occurrence of interpersonal variations of the sensitivity to the adrenocortical suppressive effect of BDP and Bu.