title: Betamethasone valerate compared by the oral and inhaled routes in childhood asthma.
abstract: The value of betamethasone valerate by inhalation in the prophylactic therapy of severe childhood asthma has been established. To determine whether the efficacy of this drug is due to a local or a systemic action a double-blind crossover study of 28 days' treatment with oral betamethasone valerate and 28 days' treatment with inhaled steroid was carried out in 10 asthmatic children. Daily doses used were 1 mg orally and 800 mug by inhalation. Nine patients had fewer symptoms, higher peak expiratory flow rates, and a lower bronchodilator requirement on inhaled than on oral therapy. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction was diminished on inhaled therapy. Five children requested early termination of the oral therapy period because of unacceptable symptoms. Nine parents stated a preference for the period of inhaled therapy. It is concluded that betamethasone valerate is highly effective by inhalation but that a comparable oral dose has no appreciable clinical effect.
mesh_terms: D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000284:Administration, Oral; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D001624:Betamethasone Valerate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate
chemical_list: D001623:Betamethasone; D001624:Betamethasone Valerate