Beclomethasone dipropionate inhalation aerosol

The aerosol solution does not require shaking. Two actuations of the 40 meg strength should provide a dose comparable to 1 actuation of the 80 meg strength. The recommended dosage relative to CFC-based beclomethasone dipropionate (CFC-BDP) inhalation aerosols is lower because of differences in delivery characteristics between the products. 

The corticosteroids are effective in most children and adults with asthma. They are beneficial for the treatment of both acute and chronic aspects of the disease. Inhaled corticosteroids, including triamcinolone ace-tonide (Azmflcort),beclomethasone dipropionate (Beclo-vent, Vancerit), flunisolide AeroBid), and fluticasone (Flovent), are indicated for maintenance treatment of asthma as prophylactic therapy. Inhaled corticosteroids are not effective for relief of acute episodes of severe bronchospasm. Systemic corticosteroids, including prednisone and prednisolone, are used for the short-term treatment of asthma exacerbations that do not respond to (32-adrenoceptor agonists and aerosol corticosteroids. Systemic corticosteroids, along with other treatments, are also used to control status asthmaticus. Because of the side effects produced by systemically administered corticosteroids, they should not be used for maintenance therapy unless all other treatment options have been exhausted. 

The active component of inhalation aerosol is beclomethasone dipropionate, an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid having the chemical name 9-chloro-ll(beta),17,21-trihy-droxy-16(beta)-methylpregna-l,4-diene-3,20-dione 17,21-dipropionate. It is a pressurized, metered-dose aerosol intended for oral inhalation only. Each unit contains a solution of beclomethasone dipropionate in propellant HFA-134a (1,1,1,2 tetrafluoroethane) and ethanol. The 40-mcg strength delivers 40 meg of beclomethasone dipropionate from the actuator and 50 meg from the valve. The... 

Beclomethasone dipropionate is the 9-chloro-analogue of betamethasone dipropionate. It was developed by Glaxo and introduced in the United States by Schering Corp. for topical use in the treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis by the inhalation of a freon-propelled aerosol. 

Beclomethasone dipropionate is a corticosteroid with mainly glucocorticoid activity that is started to exert a topical effect on the lungs, without significant systemic activity. It is used by inhalation, generally from a metered-dose aerosol, for the prophylaxis of asthma. Inhalation of nebulized beclomethasone dipropionate has also been used in the management of asthma in children. 

Dose. Usually 300 to 400 pg of beclomethasone dipropionate daily, by aerosol inhalation maximum of 2 mg daily. 

Silvasti, M. Comparison of the beclomethasone dipropionate delivery by easyhaler dry powder inhaler and pMDI plus large volume spacer. J. Aerosol Med. 2001,... 

Warren S, Taylor G, Godfrey C, Cote G, Hill M. Gamma scintigraphic evaluation of beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) from the Spiros dry powder inhaler. J Aerosol Med 1999 12 117. 

Newer synthetic glucocorticoids have incorporated chlorine atoms onto the steroid molecule as fluorine substitutes. Beclomethasone, a 9a-chloro analogue of betamethasone, is a potent glucocorticoid with approximately half the potency of its fluoro analogue. It is used topically as its dipropionate derivative in inhalation aerosol therapy for asthma and rhinitis (see Inhaled and Intranasal Glucocorticoids) but not for treatment of steroid-responsive dermatoses (77). The topical anti-inflammatory potency for beclomethasone... 

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