A comparison of inhaled salbutamol with a combination of salbutamol and beclomethasone dipropionate in moderately severe asthma.

Fifteen adults with moderately severe asthma underwent two sequential treatments, first with inhaled salbutamol, 200 micrograms q.i.d. for 2 weeks followed by a combination of salbutamol 200 micrograms and beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) 100 micrograms q.i.d. for the next 2 weeks. The response was evaluated by symptoms and additional drugs scores during the two treatments and spirometry before and after each treatment. The second phase of treatment resulted in a greater symptomatic improvement and a reduced need for additional drugs. A clinically significant improvement was observed in lung function after the combination treatment. However, as the comparison was limited to only 2 weeks, this duration of treatment was not adequate to correct the spirometric abnormalities. It was concluded that a combination of salbutamol and BDP was superior to salbutamol alone. Treatment with only bronchodilators results in a poor control of asthma and therefore, these should always be combined with inhaled steroids.