Clinical equivalency of Beclasone Eco Easi Breathe and Flixotide via MDI in asthma patients

Abstract

It is well known that efficacy of asthma treatment depends on a choice of a basic medication as well as on a delivery system. The aim of this study was a comparison of clinical efficacy of equal doses of beclomethasone dipropionate (Beclasone Eco Easi Breathe) and fluticasone propionate (Flixotide) via MDI. The study was designed as a randomized open prospective comparative trial. Findings of 26 patients with moderate and severe asthma of > 18 yrs old were analyzed, such as medical history, physical findings, spirometric and bronchodilating test results, heart beat rate and blood pressure, quality of life (QoL) using Russian version of AQLQ questionnaire. After the run-in period the patients randomly received Beclasone Eco Easi Breathe 500 to 1000 μg daily or Flixotide at the same doses for 4 weeks followed the cross-over change of the drugs for the next 4 weeks. After 1 month of the treatment, significant improvements in airflow parameters, need in short-acting β2 -agonists and QoL have been reported. After changing the drugs these effects have been maintained with no further reliable improvement. Thus, the study demonstrated similar efficacy and safety of these inhaled steroids that could be considered as being clinically equal in treatment of moderate and severe asthma.