[High dose inhaled steroids in the treatment of bronchial asthma. A comparison of the effects of budesonide and beclomethasone dipropionate on pulmonary function, symptoms, bronchial reactivity and adrenocortical function].

The effects of high-dose inhaled budesonide (800 micrograms twice daily) and those of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (750 micrograms twice daily) were compared with respect to lung function, symptoms, bronchial reactivity and adrenocortical function in a doubleblind, double-dummy cross-over study. The subjects were 40 adult patients suffering from either allergic or non-allergic asthma. The asthma was categorized as moderate to severe, and the asthma was insufficiently controlled on inhalational steroids given in doses of 300 to 500 micrograms daily. After a two week "run-in" period the patients were randomized to six weeks treatment with either budesonide or beclomethasone dipropionate, followed by six weeks treatment with the opposite drug. Both inhaled budesonide and inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate were able to improve objective measures of lung function and bronchial sensitivity to histamine. Neither drug affected adrenocortical function, and no serious side-effects were noted during the trial. It is concluded that budesonide and beclomethasone dipropionate are safe and effective drugs for the treatment of asthma in adults. The substances are equally effective taken microgram for microgram.