Abstract
Asthma is characterized as a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. Of the inflammatory cells, macrophages, through IgE receptors, can be activated by allergens and possibly play a role in airway hyperresponsiveness and the late response. Glucocorticoids inhibit the release of mediators from alveolar macrophages, and beta-agonists do not have an effect. Glucocorticoids also inhibit eosinophil degranulation and, therefore, play an important role in decreasing or preventing the inflammation associated with chronic asthma. This report includes a comparison of the characteristics and capabilities of flunisolide, beclomethasone dipropionate, and triamcinolone acetonide, the inhaled glucocorticoids currently available in the United States. Emphasis is placed on this therapeutic category because some current treatment regimens for chronic bronchial asthma rely primarily on bronchodilator therapy, a factor that may be responsible for the observed rise in deaths due to asthma. Aerosol glucocorticoids are an important therapeutic intervention that should be introduced at an early stage in the disease process.
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