The type of delivery device for inhaled steroids should be considered in the management of asthma in children, experts say. The effective delivery of inhaled steroids was discussed by Professor John Price (professor of paediatric respiratory medicine, King's College hospital, London) at a satellite symposium sponsored by 3M Health Care at a European conference on paediatric asthma in London on November 24.
"The effectiveness of an inhaled steroid is influenced by its distribution throughout the bronchial tree, " he said. "Emerging paediatric data on new formulations of existing inhaled therapies is suggesting that improved delivery has the potential to allow for dose reductions while maintaining symptom control. " He added that it was important to consider both the drug and delivery device when "stepping down " treatment to achieve asthma control at the lowest possible steroid dose.
Dr Sunalene Devadason (University of Western Australia, Perth) described data that showed that 3M's Qvar Autohaler gave increased lung deposition compared with other inhaled steroids. She commented: "The fine formulation appeared to reduce the oropharyngeal deposition and increase the lung deposition without the need for a spacer. " Concerns were voiced at the meeting that these results raised a question over dose recommendations for newer formulations of inhaled steroids.