Flunisolide intranasal solution combined with intrabronchial steroids in adults with both bronchial asthma and perennial rhinitis

Abstract

Because the simultaneous use of more than one form of topical corticosteroid involves higher cumulative doses and, therefore, more potential for absorption, this study was concerned primarily with effect on adrenal function. Seventeen adults whose asthma symptoms had been stable for at least three months on 100-400 microgram/day of beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol received flunisolide intranasal solution (200 microgram/day) combined with its intrabronchial form (1 mg/day) or with beclomethasone dipropionate bronchial aerosol (400 microgram/day). Utilizing a physician-blind, crossover design, each medication combination was administered for one month. Patient and physician evaluations revealed no significant differences in efficacy, adverse effects (complaints) or effect on adrenal function between the two combinations. Thus, the addition of intranasal flunisolide to intrabronchial flunisolide or beclomethasone did not appear to result in significant systemic absorption of corticosteroid above that which might have occurred as a result of the bronchial inhalation of corticosteroid medication alone during the pretrial period.