title: How the lung handles drugs: pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of inhaled corticosteroids.
abstract: Bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis are among the most common diseases of modern society and to an increasing degree a major cause of illness, hospitalization, loss of productivity, and death. Despite improvements in drug therapy over the years, the incidence is still increasing. Inhaled and intranasal corticosteroids are the drugs of choice in the therapy of asthma and allergic rhinitis. Inhalation and intranasal use result in better, target-specific delivery of corticosteroids. Higher concentrations at the site of action and minimized systemic exposure provide improved therapeutic ratios. However, there is still considerable concern over the risk of systemic side effects. It is the goal of inhaled and intranasal corticosteroid therapy to produce long-lasting therapeutic effects at the site of action and minimize systemic side effects with high clearance, low oral bioavailability and high plasma protein binding. This article reviews the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of corticosteroids used in asthma and allergic rhinitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100494, 1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32610-0494, USA.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Winkler
authors.forename: Guenther
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hochhaus
authors.forename: Hartmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Derendorf
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy; D001682:Biological Availability; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects*; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000188:drug therapy; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014018:Tissue Distribution / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones