In vivo comparison of triamcinolone and beclomethasone inhalation delivery systems

The efficiencies of two metered dose delivery systems designed for oral inhalation of glucocorticoids (triamcinolone acetonide and beclomethasone dipropionate) were compared in an open-labeled, randomized, crossover fashion in 18 asthmatic patients. Measurements were made of the mean amount of glucocorticoid released per actuation at the aerosol valve of each delivery system, the mean amount in a post-dose gargle and saliva specimen and the mean amount that remained in the oral adapter after use of each system. Retention in the oropharyngeal cavity was 7.3% and 40.3% of delivered dose for the triamcinolone acetonide and beclomethasone dipropionate systems (P < 0.001). The amount of glucocorticoid potentially available to the bronchial airways was 92.7% of the delivered dose for the triamcinolone acetonide and 59.7% for the beclomethasone dipropionate system.