Comparison of pharmacokinetics and systemic effects of inhaled fluticasone propionate in patients with asthma and healthy volunteers: a randomised crossover study

Inhaled corticosteroids are currently the cornerstone of asthma treatment. Some studies of high-dose fluticasone propionate in patients with no or mild asthma have, however, suggested substantial systemic absorption. We investigated the pharmacokinetics of fluticasone propionate in patients with asthma receiving appropriate doses for severity. We did a double-blind, randomised, crossover study in 11 patients with asthma and 13 matched healthy controls (age 20–65 years; asthma patients forced expiratory volume in 1 s