Dictionary of Allergies .. Adrenal function, and beclomethasone dipropionate

Adrenal function, and beclomethasone dipropionate

Biochemical steroid analyses, performed repeatedly over some years and clinical experience has shown that in adults the inhalation of 400μg Beclomethasone dipropionate daily is without risk of systemic steroid side-effects. In adults and in children, there is no risk of systemic steroid side effects when Beclomethasone dipropionate is the only steroid given to the patient[1, 2].

Beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) has been formulated as an extrafine aerosol (hydrofluoroalkane-134a [HFA]-BDP) [QVAR; 3M Pharmaceuticals; St Paul, MN], which gives improved lung deposition compared with chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-BDP. The clinical efficacy of HFA-BDP has been established in adult asthma at a required dose below that of CFC-BDP. HFA-BDP, 80 to 160 micro g/d, is also effective and safe in childhood asthma[3].

References

1.Godfrey, I. and Konig, P.: Beclomethasone aerosol in childhood asthma. Arch. Dis. Child. 48, 665 (1973).

2. Wilken-Jensen, K.: The effect of inhalations of beclomethasone dipropionate on plasma cortisol levels and growth hormone production. Postgrad. med. J. 51, 31 (1975).

3.Nayak A, Lanier R, Weinstein S, Stampone P, Welch M. Efficacy and safety of beclomethasone dipropionate extrafine aerosol in childhood asthma: a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Chest. 2003 Jun;123(6):2164. Chest. 2002 Dec;122(6):1956-65