Basal cortisol in asthmatics on two different doses of fluticasone propionate.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate basal plasma cortisol in persistent asthmatics on inhaled fluticasone propionate 200 mcg/day and 300 mcg/day.


METHODS
Asthma diagnosis and classification was based on Global Initiative for Asthma recommendations. Patients aged 11 years old or less received fluticasone propionate 200 mcg/day and those older than 11 years received 300 mcg/day. After 10 weeks of treatment, plasma cortisol levels were monitored to evaluate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.


RESULTS
Forty-one patients (65.9% males) aged 6 to 18 years old were evaluated. No statistical differences were found between plasma cortisol levels in patients who received 200 mcg/day (n = 13) and those who received 300 mcg/day (n = 28).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that low and moderate doses of fluticasone propionate do not cause adrenal suppression.
Andrade
Cláudia R de
CR
Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Camargos
Paulo Augusto M
PA
Ibiapina
Cássio da C
Cda C
Lasmar
Laura Maria de L B F
LM
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D000068298:Fluticasone; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000730:Androstadienes; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D000068298:Fluticasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone