Clinical benefits of switching to an inhaled corticosteroid extrafine aerosol; a case series.

Hydrofluoroalkane beclomethasone dipropionate (HFA-BDP) extrafine aerosol is the first in a new generation of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) formulations that have an improved deposition profile in comparison with conventional ICS preparations. This reformulation offers potential benefits to patients with asthma in terms of improved symptom control and reduced oropharyngeal adverse effects, such as dysphonia and candidiasis. This article presents four cases that illustrate the clinical benefits that can be obtained following a switch from conventional ICS preparations to treatment with HFA-BDP extrafine aerosol. The patients described were experiencing significant exacerbations of their asthma and increasing asthma symptoms and/or oropharyngeal adverse effects during treatment with conventional ICS preparations. On switching to HFA-BDP extrafine aerosol, the patients experienced an improvement in their asthma control and resolution of any oropharyngeal adverse effects.