A controlled trial of twice daily triamcinolone oral inhaler in patients with mild-to-moderate asthma

National and international guidelines recommend inhaled anti-inflammatory medications for patients with all but the mildest forms of asthma. Patients may also be more compliant with twice daily dosing.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of triamcinolone acetonide (triamcinolone acetonide), 400 microg bid, in mild-to-moderate asthma patients.

A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with a 7- to 21-day baseline and 6-week treatment period. Adult mild-to-moderate asthma patients poorly controlled by beta2-agonists alone were randomized to receive placebo (48) or triamcinolone acetonide (53). Patients recorded daytime and nighttime asthma symptoms, albuterol use, and morning and evening peak expiratory flow (PEF) rates on diary cards. Clinic spirometry measures included FEV1, FEF25-75%, FVC, FEV1/FVC, and PEF.

Triamcinolone acetonide treatment resulted in improvement from baseline of 17% for FEV1 (P < .0001); 44% for albuterol use (P = .0009); 9% for FVC (P = .0185); 19% for PEF (P = .0011); 42% for FEF25-75% (P < .0001); 8% for FEV1/FVC (P = .0016); 36% for daytime, 39% for nighttime, and 38% for total asthma symptoms (P < or = .0001); and 12% for morning, and 10% for evening PEF (P < or = .001). These changes were highly significant when compared with placebo (P < or = .0185). Significant improvement for all variables was demonstrated within 1 to 2 weeks of active treatment, and maintained for most variables over the 6-week treatment phase. Both treatments were well tolerated. Respiratory adverse events occurred more frequently with placebo; pharyngitis was reported more frequently with triamcinolone acetonide.

Triamcinolone acetonide, administered twice daily, can effectively and safely treat patients with milder forms of asthma. In these patients, triamcinolone acetonide improves asthma symptoms and decreases the need for as-needed beta2-agonists.