BUDESONIDE INHALATION POWDER - A REVIEW OF ITS PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND ROLE IN THE TREATMENT OF ASTHMA

Budesonide inhalation powder, available as Pulmicort Turbuhaler, is a corticosteroid with a high ratio of local to systemic effects that is administered to treat persistent asthma. The Turbuhaler achieves lung deposition approximately twice that of a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) wi th or without a spacer device. Budesonide inhalation powder has clinic al efficacy equivalent to that of fluticasone and beclomethasone, but it has lower systemic bioavailability and fewer systemic side effects. As with other inhaled corticosteroids, dysphonia and oral candidiasis are the most frequent adverse effects, and systemic effects are infre quent. The initial starting dosage is 200 mu g (1 puff) twice/day and may be increased to 800 mu g twice/day in adults or 400 mu g twice/day in children. Patients prefer the Turbuhaler to the MDI, Diskhaler, an d Rotahaler because it is easier to use and more convenient to carry.