Dexamethasone-isonicotinate aerosol in the long-term treatment of steroid-dependent asthmatic children.

Dexamethasone-isonicotinate aerosol (DIA) was administered to twenty-nine steroid-dependent children with chronic perennial asthma, in an open trial during one year. An attempt was made to withdraw systemic corticosteroid therapy. As judged by clinical results, inhaled dexamethasone-isonicotinate controlled the asthma quite as well as did previous therapy. Oral corticosteroids were withdrawn in 27 patients, and the dosage considerably reduced in another two. Cushingoid features subsided. There was a statistically significant improvement in most pulmonary function parameters (airway obstruction and lung hyperinflation were reduced towards normal). Reduction of systemic steroid dosage resulted in the appearance of previously suppressed manifestations such as hay fever, eczema, and nasal polyps. There was no increased tendency to the occurrence of respiratory tract infection; routine examination showed Candida albicans in about 37% cultures.