In Brief: Inhaled corticosteroids

Executive Summary

Inhaled corticosteroids: FDA broadens indications of inhaled corticosteroids in asthma treatment to read "indicated in the maintenance treatment of asthma as prophylactic therapy....Also indicated for asthma patients who require systemic corticosteroid administration where adding [the inhaled corticosteroid] may reduce or eliminate the need for systemic corticosteroids." The inhaled compounds are "not indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm." Inhaled corticosteroids previously were indicated as second-line treatment after bronchodilators. Products affected by the labeling change include Forest's Aerobid, Rhone-Poulenc Rorer's Azmacort, Glaxo Wellcome's Beclovent, Astra's Rhinocort and Schering-Plough's Vanceril...