Safety, tolerability and acceptability of two dry powder inhalers in the administration of budesonide in steroid-treated asthmatic patients

Abstract

The purpose of this randomized, double-blind parallel group study was to compare the safety, tolerability and acceptability of Easyhaler® and Turbuhaler® dry powder inhalers for the delivery of budesonide 800 μg day-1 in adult asthmatic patients who had already been treated with inhaled corticosteroids for at least 6 months prior to the study. Additionally the efficacy of the products was evaluated. The main objective was to evaluate the systemic safety of budesonide inhaled from Easyhaler® (Giona® Easyhaler®, Orion Pharma, Finland) as determined by serum and urine cortisol measurements. The secondary objective was to compare the tolerability, acceptability and efficacy of the two devices in the administration of budesonide. After a 2-week run-in period (baseline), patients were randomized on a 2:1 basis to receive budesonide from Easyhaler® (n=103) or from Turbuhaler® (Pulmicort® Turbuhaler®, AstraZeneca, Sweden) (n=58) 200 μg dose-1, two inhalations twice daily for 12 weeks. There was no statistically significant change in morning serum cortisol values from baseline to the end of treatment in either group. Urine free cortisol and urine cortisol/ creatinine ratio increased from baseline in both groups. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of morning serum cortisol, urine cortisol, adverse events or efficacy variables, but Easyhaler® was generally considered more acceptable to the patients. In conclusion, at 800 mχ day-1, Giona® Easyhaler® is as safe and efficacious as Pulmicort® Turbuhaler® in adult asthmatic patients previously treated with corticosteroids, but more acceptable to patients. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd.