Adrenal function and high dose inhaled corticosteroids for asthma.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate effects on adrenal function of fluticasone, a recently released inhaled steroid preparation with lower systemic bioavailability than beclomethasone dipropionate.


METHODS
34 children on high doses (400-909 micrograms/m2/d) of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate or budesonide were recruited into a double blind, crossover study investigating the effects on adrenal function of beclomethasone and fluticasone propionate, given using a standard spacer (Volumatic). The 24 hour excretion rates of total cortisol and cortisol metabolites were determined at baseline (after a two week run in), after six weeks treatment with an equal dose of beclomethasone, and after six weeks of treatment with half the dose of fluticasone, both given through a spacer device.


RESULTS
The comparison of effects between fluticasone and beclomethasone during treatment periods, although favouring fluticasone in all measured variables, reached significance only after correction for urinary creatinine excretion (tetrahydrocortisol and 5 alpha-tetrahydrocortisol geometric means: 424 v 341 micrograms/m2/d). The baseline data showed adrenal suppression in the children taking beclomethasone (total cortisol geometric means: 975 v 1542 micrograms/d) and a dose related suppression in the children taking budesonide. Suppressed adrenal function in the children who were taking beclomethasone at baseline subsequently improved with fluticasone and beclomethasone during treatment periods.


CONCLUSIONS
Fluticasone is less likely to suppress adrenal function than beclomethasone at therapeutically equivalent doses. The baseline data also support the claim that spacer devices should be used for the administration of high doses of inhaled topical steroids.
Yiallouros
P K
PK
Children's Respiratory Unit, United Medical School of Guy's Hospital, University of London.
Milner
A D
AD
Conway
E
E
Honour
J W
JW
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D000068298:Fluticasone; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000187:drug effects
D000730:Androstadienes; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000068298:Fluticasone; D001507:Beclomethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone