RESUMO
In a double-blind cross-over study beclomethasone dipropionate inhaled as a dry-powder in a dose of 400 micrograms twice daily was compared with a conventional aerosol in a dose of 100 micrograms four times daily in 16 outpatients with chronic asthma. Each of the 2 treatments lasted for 4 weeks. There was no significant difference with respect to daily peak expiratory flow rates, symptom scores, bronchodilator usages and other lung function measurements between the 2 treatments. Tetracosactrin tests were within normal limits and no clinical oral candidiasis was observed throughout the study. In conclusion, beclomethasone dipropionate dry-power given twice daily was effective for the control of asthma and could be recommended for patients with poor drug compliance.