A placebo controlled double-blind trial of beclomethasone dipropionate in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

Beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol, administered intransally, 50 mcg into each nostril four times a day, was compared to placebo aerosol therapy in a three-week, double-blind trial of 30 patients with allergic rhinitis. Evaluation of efficacy, derived from patient scoring on daily diary cards and a weekly evaluation of signs and symptoms by a physician, showed a statistically significant difference in favor of the beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol. The 400 mcg/day dosage did not provide for systemic absorption as determined by measurements of plasma cortisol levels and circulating eosinophils. The only side effects consisted of mild to moderate burning and stinging or drying of the nasal mucosa.

Therapeutic index of steroid aerosols in asthma. A single-blind comparative trial of beclomethasone dipropionate vs dexamethasone isonicotinate.

1) A 4-week single-blind study is reported which compares the responses of 10 matched pairs of adult asthmatic patients to Beclomethasone Dipropionate and Dexamethasone Isonicotinate aerosols, each at 12 metered-doses per day. 2) Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by measurement of pulmonary function (PEFR) and by a physician's "overall evaluation" scale. 3) Side-effects related to systemic absorption were evaluated by A.M. blood cortisol levels and total eosinophil counts. 4) At the doses studied, Beclomethasone Dipropionate produced both no side-effects and a significant favourable clinical response, while Dexamethasone Isonicotinate produced significant side-effects and a lesser clinical response.