Mometasone furoate: efficacy and safety in moderate asthma compared with beclomethasone dipropionate

Background Mometasone furoate (MF) is a new inhaled glucocorticoid administered by dry powder inhaler (DPI). Objective MF-DPI was evaluated for safety and efficacy and compared with placebo DPI and beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) administered by metered dose inhaler (MDI) in the treatment of patients with moderate persistent asthma. Methods Eligible patients (n = 227), 13 to 75 years of age, maintained on inhaled glucocorticoids before entering the trial, were randomized to receive: MF-DPI, 100 μg, twice daily, MF-DPI, 200 μg, twice daily, BDP MDI, 168 μg, twice daily, or placebo in a 12-week, multicenter, double-blind study. Results At endpoint, FEV 1 (primary efficacy variable) significantly improved for all three active treatments compared with placebo ( P Conclusions MF-DPI, 100 μg and 200 μg, twice daily were well-tolerated and significantly improved lung function and symptom control in the treatment of patients with moderate persistent asthma. In this study, MF-DPI, 200 μg, twice daily seemed to be the most effective dosage.