title: Therapeutic index of steroid aerosols in asthma. A single-blind comparative trial of beclomethasone dipropionate vs dexamethasone isonicotinate.
abstract: 1) A 4-week single-blind study is reported which compares the responses of 10 matched pairs of adult asthmatic patients to Beclomethasone Dipropionate and Dexamethasone Isonicotinate aerosols, each at 12 metered-doses per day. 2) Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by measurement of pulmonary function (PEFR) and by a physician's "overall evaluation" scale. 3) Side-effects related to systemic absorption were evaluated by A.M. blood cortisol levels and total eosinophil counts. 4) At the doses studied, Beclomethasone Dipropionate produced both no side-effects and a significant favourable clinical response, while Dexamethasone Isonicotinate produced significant side-effects and a lesser clinical response.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D003908:Dexamethasone Isonicotinate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D003907:Dexamethasone; D003908:Dexamethasone Isonicotinate; D001507:Beclomethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D008775:Methylprednisolone