Long-term treatment of nasal polyps with beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol. I. Treatment and rationale.

Beclomethasone dipropionate is a potent corticosteroid, which when applied by a pressurized metered dose aerosol in the airways has pronounced anti-allergic effects with no risk of systemic steroid side effects at the recommended dosage. An impressive effect in hay fever and perennial rhinitis has been demonstrated. A double-blind short-term trial showed that the drug was effective in about 80% of patients suffering from moderate to severe nasal polyposis. A study of the long-term effects on the nasal mucosa is indicated.