Corticosteroids potency ratings

Corticosteroids Dosage Forms Strength (%) USP Potency Ratings3 Vasoconstrictive Potency Rating ... 

Inhaled corticosteroids are the preferred long-term control therapy for persistent asthma in all patients because of their potency and consistent effectiveness they are also the only therapy shown to reduce the risk of death from asthma. Comparative doses are included in Table 80-3. Most patients with moderate disease can be controlled with twice-daily dosing some products have once-daily dosing indications. Patients with more severe disease require multiple daily dosing. Because the inflammatory response of asthma inhibits steroid receptor binding, patients should be started on higher and more frequent doses and then tapered down once control has been achieved. The response to inhaled corticosteroids is delayed symptoms improve in most patients within the first 1 to 2 weeks and reach maximum improvement in 4 to 8 weeks. Maximum improvement in FEVj and PEF rates may require 3 to 6 weeks. 

The potency and effectiveness of TAC have prompted studies to investigate withdrawal of corticosteroids or other concomitant immunosuppressants. A large randomized, controlled trial compared triple-drug therapy, consisting of TAC, corticosteroids, and mycophe-nolate mofetil, with early withdrawal of corticosteroids or mycophe-nolate in kidney transplant recipients. The results demonstrated equal efficacy in the three arms with no difference in acute rejection rates after 6 months of therapy. Furthermore, TAC has demonstrated equal efficacy to CSA, each in combination with azathioprine, with regard to corticosteroid withdrawal. ... 

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