A comparative study of inhaled ciclesonide 160 μg/day and fluticasone propionate 176 μg/day in children with asthma

Ciclesonide (CIC) is an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) with high anti-inflammatory activity and low incidence of local and systemic adverse effects. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of CIC with fluticasone propionate (FP) in children and adolescents with persistent asthma. This was a 12-week, randomized, double blind, parallel-group study. After a 2-to 4-week baseline period, a total of 556 children (ages 6-15 years) with asthma (forced expiratory volume in 1 sec [FEV 1], 50% to 90% predicted) were treated twice daily with CIC 80 μg (ex-actuator, equivalent to 100 μg ex-valve) or FP 88 μg (ex-actuator, equivalent to 100 μg ex-valve) administered via a hydrofluoroalkane-propelled metered-dose inhaler. A statistically significant increase from baseline was observed in FEV 1 for both CIC (285 ± 16 ml) and FP (285 ± 15 ml) (P < 0.0001 for both) and in morning and evening peak expiratory flow (P < 0.0001 for both). Significant improvements were seen in asthma symptoms, use of rescue medication, and asthma symptom-free days in both treatment groups, without any differences between the treatment groups in changes from baseline. Two FP-treated patients experienced oral candidiasis and one patient experienced voice alteration. Creatinine-adjusted 24-hr urine cortisol levels increased from baseline levels by 10% in the CIC group (P < 0.05) and by 6% in the FP group (not significant). The efficacy and safety of CIC 160 μg/day were comparable to those of FP 176 μg/day in children with asthma. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.