Beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol in the treatment of asthma in steroid-independent adults.

A total of 128 corticosteroid-independent adults with chronic allergic asthma were treated for six weeks with 400 micrograms/day of beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol. Most patients (114 or 89%) had a good to excellent response, characterized by a marked improvement in the signs and symptoms of asthma. Substantial improvement in respiratory function, as evaluated by spirometry, was seen in 86 (67.2%) patients; 31 (24.2%) patients exhibited some improvement; and in 11 (8.6%) patients, respiratory function decreased. Overall, mean FEV improved by 57.2%; mean VC, by 53.5%; and mean FEV%, by 25%. Patients also were able to eliminate completely or reduce by half their use of cromolyn sodium, bronchodilators, and/or other antasthmatic drugs. With one exception, early morning plasma cortisol levels in patients with normal pretherapy levels were not adversely affected by the dosage used. No signs of oral candidiasis developed.