Once-daily asthma corticosteroid launched
Alvesco’s once-daily dosing may improve adherence |
Ciclesonide (Alvesco), the first once-daily corticosteroid asthma preventer, has been launched by Altana.
Ciclesonide, licensed for the prophylactic treatment of persistent asthma
in adults, has a number of pharmacological properties which allow it
to be taken only once a day, Philip Ind, a consultant physician and asthma
specialist at Hammersmith Hospital said. “Ciclesonide’s high
lipid solubility, high protein binding, high lung deposition and long
lung retention make once daily dosing a reality,” he explained.
Dr Ind, who has been involved in clinical trials of the drug, hopes that
once-daily dosing will improve adherence to treatment and quality of
life for patients. He also explained that, since ciclesonide is activated
in the lung, it has an improved systemic safety profile compared with
other corticosteroids and patients should be less likely to suffer from
local side effects.
Notice-board p79 |
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