REVIEW OF THE TOXICOLOGY OF BECLOMETHASONE DIPROPIONATE

This paper reviews the published toxicity of beclomethasone dipropiona te (BDP). BDP is a synthetic glucocorticosteroid which has a powerful local anti-inflammatory effect but little systemic action. It has been developed for both dermatological and inhaled applications. LD(50) va lues and other acute studies indicated low toxicity. Findings publishe d for repeat dose and reproductive toxicity studies embraced the known range of metabolic and physiological effects of glucocorticoids. For repeat dose studies, these included reduction in body weight gains, cu shingoid syndrome in dogs, reductions in the numbers of lymphocytes an d the weights of the tissues connected with the immune system, and hep atic glycogen deposition and fatty liver changes. In reproductive stud ies, there was an increase in the prevalence of cleft palate in mice a nd rabbits and in the number of dead foetuses, and ossification was re tarded. Despite the route of administration, there was a general simil arity of effects within and between species. All observations were cha racteristic of synthetic glucocorticoids and related to the intrinsic effects of these drugs.