How important is the sequence of administration of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate and salbutamol in asthma.

Sixty patients with fairly stable asthma of mild or moderate severity entered a multicentre, double-blind cross-over trial, comparing the efficacy of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate preceded 10 minutes earlier by inhalation of salbutamol with that of beclomethasone followed 10 minutes later by salbutamol during two consecutive three-month periods. Patients received beclomethasone 100 microgram and salbutamol 200 microgram four times daily. Analysis of occurrence of exacerbations, usage of additional inhaled salbutamol, peak expiratory flow rate and symptom scores showed no evidence that regular beclomethasone was more effective when preceded by salbutamol rather than when followed by it.