Cough and wheezing from beclomethasone aerosol.

Cough and wheezing are frequent side effects of inhaling beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol (BA) in patients with asthma. Twenty percent of our outpatient asthmatic subjects are unable to take BA due to these side effects. Twelve patients with history of severe cough and wheezing after inhaling BA were tested. Three puffs of either BA or placebo (Plc) were administered from a metered dose inhaler (MDI) in a double-blind crossover design. They coughed a mean of 31 times after BA and 19 times after Plc. Forced expiratory volume in one sec (FEV1) declined a mean of 22.6 percent after BA and 22.0 percent after Plc. Pretreatment with albuterol attenuated both the cough and the drop in FEV1. Follow-up study showed that regular pretreatment with bronchodilator enabled seven of 12 patients to tolerate BA therapy. The remaining five required a short course of increased dose oral steroid therapy. Cough and wheezing are frequent side effects of BA therapy that interfere with regular compliance. Pretreatment with a bronchodilator is effective in attenuating these side effects in some patients; in others, a short course of oral steroid therapy may be necessary.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes