Adrenal function in asthmatic children treated with inhaled budesonide.
The effect of the inhaled topical steroid budesonide on adrenal function was evaluated in 33 children (aged 7-15 years) with moderate bronchial asthma. The trial was designed as a prospective single-blind study of the effect of budesonide in daily doses of 200 microgram through 400 microgram to 800 micrograms in three randomized consecutive periods of 8 weeks. The unstimulated diurnal production of cortisol was assessed by measurement of free cortisol in 24-hour urine samples at the end of each period. No significant dose-related suppression was found. The cortisol production did not differ significantly during treatment with 800 microgram budesonide as compared to treatment with 200 microgram budesonide (95% confidence interval: 74%-112%). It is concluded, that budesonide is a topical steroid with a favourable ratio between topical and systemic effects in asthmatic children.
Bisgaard
H
H
Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Pedersen
S
S
Damkjaer Nielsen
M
M
Osterballe
O
O
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000187:drug effects*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019819:Budesonide; D002648:Child; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D011282:Pregnenediones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D011282:Pregnenediones; D019819:Budesonide; D003404:Creatinine; D006854:Hydrocortisone