A Comparison of Three Injectable Corticosteroids for the Treatment of Patients with Seasonal Hay Fever

Abstract

Three injectable corticosteroids, betamethasone dipropionate betamethasone disodium phosphate and betamethasone acetate, and methylprednisolone acetate, were compared for onset and duration of action in patients with severe seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. The sixty patients who were entered into the trial had been well-studied in our allergy clinic. They were assigned, on the basis of a random number code, to treatment with one of the corticosteroids. Following a single intramuscular injection with one of the preparations, plasma Cortisol and blood glucose concentrations also were compared at days 1, 2-3, 5-7 and 14. All three preparations improved the nasal symptoms. There were no individual differences with respect to onset or to duration of action. However, there were some differences in the effects on endogenous Cortisol production and on blood glucose levels. Two of the preparations, betamethasone dipropionate and methylprednisolone acetate, suppressed endogenous Cortisol for more than 14 days, while betamethasone phosphate/acetate did not suppress Cortisol beyond 12 days. Betamethasone dipropionate produced a moderate increase in blood glucose concentrations for the first two days after administration; betamethasone phosphate/acetate caused an increase for one day and methylprednisolone acetate had no effect.