Tetracosactrin for the management of asthmatic patients after long-term corticosteroids

Thirty-five of 41 asthmatic patients, who had been taking oral corticosteroids regularly for between one and 12 years, recovered their adrenal function after courses of depot tetracosactrin, even those with apparently complete adrenal suppression. They all showed benefit by transfer to depot tetracosactrin, though steroid withdrawal symptoms could be troublesome. Skin pigmentation in three, and two severe reactions to tetracosactrin were encountered. We believe that it is advisable to give depot tetracosactrin when converting severe asthmatics to the use of beclomethasone dipropionate aerosols who have previously been treated by long-term steroids with consequent adrenal suppression.