Once-daily budesonide inhalation powder (Pulmicort Turbuhaler) maintains pulmonary function and symptoms of asthmatic children previously receiving inhaled corticosteroids

The incidence of pediatric asthma has increased dramatically over the past few decades, with approximately 5% of American children affected by the disease. To compare the efficacy and safety of once-daily budesonide Turbuhaler with placebo in asthmatic children previously treated with orally inhaled corticosteroids. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter (17 centers) study included 274 male and female children (aged 6 to 17 years) with a history of asthma for at least the previous 6 months. Patients received placebo or budesonide Turbuhaler (200 μg or 400 μg) once daily for 12 weeks. Efficacy variables included mean changes from baseline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1), am and pm peak expiratory flow rates (PEFRs), nighttime and daytime asthma symptom severity scores, patient discontinuations, use of β 2-agonists as breakthrough medication, forced vital capacity (FVC), and midexpiratory flow rate between 25% and 75% of FVC (FEF 25%-75%). Safety was evaluated by adverse events, physical examinations, vital signs, and laboratory tests. Baseline characteristics were comparable among treatment groups. Percentage of predicted FEV 1 at baseline was 76.6 ± 6.9 for placebo, 77.5 ± 7.1, and 77.0 ± 7.8 for the budesonide Turbuhaler 200 μg and 400 μg groups, respectively. Significantly ( P ≤ 0.024) more placebo patients (24%) discontinued treatment because of disease deterioration or no improvement than budesonide Turbuhaler 200 μg (11%) or 400 μg patients (10%). Patients receiving budesonide Turbuhaler experienced significant improvements in FEV 1 compared with patients receiving placebo ( P ≤ 0.015). Significant ( P ≤ 0.041) improvements over placebo also were observed in am and pm PEFRs, FVC, FEF 25%-75%, nighttime and daytime asthma symptoms, and amount of β 2-agonist used in both budesonide Turbuhaler groups. Adverse events were generally mild or moderate in intensity and similar among treatment groups. Once-daily budesonide Turbuhaler is effective and safe in children with persistent asthma previously maintained on at least twice-daily dosing regimens of inhaled corticosteroids.