title: Extrafine beclomethasone dipropionate breath-actuated inhaler (400 micrograms/day) versus budesonide dry powder inhaler (800 micrograms/day) in asthma.
abstract: Hydrofluoroalkane-134a beclomethasone dipropionate extrafine aerosol breath-actuated inhaler (Qvar Autohaler; BDP-AH) provides an alternative to chlorofluorocarbon metered dose inhalers or dry powder inhalers (DPIs). The aim of this six-week, open-label study was to determine whether BDP-AH demonstrates equivalent asthma control to twice the dose of budesonide (BUD)-DPI (Pulmicort Turbuhaler). Adults with symptomatic asthma inadequately controlled on BUD-DPI 400 micrograms/day and beta-agonist were enrolled. Patients (n = 193) were randomised to receive 400 micrograms/day BDP-AH (n = 98) (two puffs of 100 micrograms/actuation inhaler twice daily) or 800 micrograms/day BUD-DPI (n = 95) (two puffs of 200 micrograms/actuation inhaler twice daily). Both groups showed a statistically significant change from baseline in morning (a.m.) peak expiratory flow (PEF) at weeks 5-6 (p < 0.01), indicating study treatment improved a.m. PEF over prestudy 400 micrograms/day BUD. Changes from baseline in a.m. PEF at weeks 5-6 were 15.9 l/min for BDP-AH and 14.2 l/min for BUD-DPI; the groups were statistically equivalent (90% CI -7.02-10.44; p < -0.001 [equivalence = within +/- 25 l/min]). Other efficacy assessments (evening PEF, FEV1, asthma symptoms, beta-agonist use) confirmed the treatments were clinically equivalent. Thirty-nine (40%) patients on BDP-AH and 35 (37%) on BUD-DPI experienced at least one adverse event (p = 0.767). Four (4%) patients on BDP-AH and 3 (3%) on BUD-DPI reported increased asthma symptoms. BDP-AH at half the daily dose provided equivalent asthma control to BUD-DPI; both treatments were well tolerated.
authors.affiliation: Arhus Kommunehospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Reichel
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dahl
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ringdal
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Zetterstrom
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: van den Elshout
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Laitinen
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001507:Beclomethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D019819:Budesonide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers / Q000592:standards*; D010316:Particle Size; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D019819:Budesonide; D001507:Beclomethasone