COMPARATIVE TASTE EVALUATION OF AEROSOLIZED FORMULATIONS OF TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE, FLUNISOLIDE, AND FLUNISOLIDE WITH MENTHOL

The taste characteristics of aerosolized formulations of triamcinolone acetonide, flunisolide, and flunisolide with menthol flavoring were c ompared in 102 adult asthmatic patients. During a 2-hour test period, study participants evaluated the taste of each of the three inhaled co rticosteroids, one at a time, in a randomly assigned sequence. The ext ent to which they liked the taste of each preparation and the taste in tensity (strength of taste) of each product were rated on 100-point sc ales. Patients also characterized the predominant taste of each inhale d corticosteroid as ''no taste,'' ''salty,'' ''sour,'' ''sweet,'' or ' 'bitter.'' Assessments were made immediately after inhalation and 2 mi nutes after inhalation. At both assessment times, subjects liked the t aste of triamcinolone acetonide significantly more than the taste of f lunisolide or flunisolide with menthol, and they liked the taste of fl unisolide with menthol better than that of flunisolide without menthol . The taste intensity of triamcinolone acetonide was rated significant ly less than that of the two flunisolide preparations at both evaluati on times. There was no significant difference in the taste-intensity r atings for flunisolide with and without menthol. Triamcinolone acetoni de was most frequently described as having no taste, whereas the taste of both flunisolide and flunisolide with menthol was most frequently described as bitter. Because of the possible adverse impact of an unpl easant taste on patient compliance with prescribed therapy, difference s in the taste of inhaled corticosteroids should be an important consi deration in selecting and recommending an aerosolized steroidal prepar ation for the control of asthma.