Beclomethasone HFA for the treatment of allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common chronic disorder, affecting 10 -30% of populations. AR has significant morbidity and expense. AR patients treat themselves with over-the-counter medications. However the usual H1 antihistamines are often inadequate. Intranasal corticosteroids effectively diminish AR symptoms. Beclomethasonedipropionate (BDP) was reported to effectively treat adults and children with AR. BDP was a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) propellant pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI). Subsequently BDP appeared in an aqueous format. Some patients preferred the dryer sensation of pMDI to aqueous formulations. The protocol of Montréal, removed CFC devices from medical practice. The remaining intranasal steroids were in aqueous format. Many patients did not like the sensory perceptions using liquids intranasal. They were unlikely to be compliant. BDP hydrofluoroalkanepMDI (BDP HFA) was developed.

Areas covered: The need of active treatment of AR will be reviewed. Chemistry, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of BDP HFA will be presented. Clinical efficacy studies and safety data which led to the approval of BDP for use in adults and children will be reviewed.

Expert opinion: BDP HFA is an option to treat AR, demonstrating a favorable therapeutic index in large double-blind placebo-controlled studies. BDP HFA appeals to select AR patients.

Keywords: allergic rhinitis; beclomethasonedipropionate; hydrofluoroalkanepMDI; intranasal beclomethasone; intranasal corticosteroids; rhinitis quality of life.