Dose frequency in the treatment of asthmatics with inhaled topical steroids. Comparison between a twice daily and a once daily dosing regimen.

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 micrograms BDP twice daily (AM/PM) or 8 puffs of 50 micrograms 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 less than 0.05). During the once daily dosing regimen a decrease in morning and evening peak expiratory flow (p less than 0.05) and an increase in nighttime and daytime symptom score (p less than 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.