[A new trend of inhaled corticosteroid therapy in Japan]

Bronchial asthma is characteristic of chronic airway inflammatory disorder which many inflammatory cells play a role, BDP therefore has become a basic drug (controller) in the treatment of asthma. Recently new dry powder inhalation systems of corticosteroid such as fluticasone propionate (Diskhaler) and budesonide (Turbuhaler) have been studied to examine the dose response clinical efficacy to BDP. Clinical efficacy of both drugs are equivocal to double dose of BDP. These excellent drugs will be soon available for clinical use in Japan.