Adrenal suppression with chronic dosing of fluticasone propionate compared with budesonide in adult asthmatic patients

Background - In a previous single dosing comparison between fluticasone propionate and budesonide differences in cortisol levels measured at 08.00 hours were observed at doses in excess of 1000 mu g. The aim of this study was to compare the adrenal suppression caused by chronic twice daily dosing with inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP) and budesonide (B) given on a microgram equivalent basis by metered dose inhaler to asthmatic patients. Methods - Twelve stable asthmatic patients of mean age 29.7 years with forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) 89.0% predicted and mid forced expiratory flow (FEF(25-75)) 58.9% predicted, on 400 mu g/day or less of inhaled corticosteroid, were studied in a double blind, placebo controlled, crossover design comparing inhaled budesonide and fluticasone propionate in doses of 250 mu g, 500 mu g, and 1000 pg twice daily. Each dose was given at 08.00 hours and 22.00 hours for four days by metered dose inhaler with mouth rinsing. Measurements were made of overnight urinary cortisol excretion and plasma cortisol levels at 08.00 hours, 10 hours after the eighth dose. Results - The plasma cortisol levels (nmol/1) at 08.00 hours showed that fluticasone propionate produced lower cortisol levels than budesonide at all three dose levels: F500 333.8, B500 415.2 (95% CI 28.9 to 134.0); F1000 308.3, B1000 380.3 (95% CI 10.5 to 133.5); F2000 207.3, B2000 318.5 (95% CI 5.8 to 216.7); placebo 399.9. Fluticasone produced greater effects than budesonide on the overnight urinary cortisol/creatinine ratio (nmol/mmol) at all three dose levels: F500 3.12, B500 5.55 (95% CI 0.16 to 3.79); F1000 2.54, B1000 6.12 (95% CI 1.25 to 5.91); F2000 2.07, B2000 6.09 (95% CT 0.88 to 7.18); placebo 5.23. Conclusions - With repeated dosing across a dose range of 250-1000 mu g twice daily, fluticasone propionate produced significantly greater adrenal suppression than budesonide for both plasma and urinary cortisol. It was therefore possible to demonstrate differences between fluticasone and budesonide at lower doses with chronic dosing from those previously found with single dosing when given on a microgram equivalent basis in asthmatic patients. Factors contributing to the systemic adverse activity profile of fluticasone comprise enhanced receptor potency, prolonged receptor residency time, greater tissue retention, and a longer elimination half life.