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Background Triamcinolone acetonide (TAA) inhalation aerosol (Azmacort Inhalation Aerosol), a well-established corticosteroid treatment for bronchial asthma, utilizes the chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) propellant P-12, which will be phased out because of environmental concerns. Two TAA aerosol formulations have been developed using a non-chlorofluorocarbon propellant, HFA-134a (Azmacort HFA Inhalation Aerosol delivering TAA 75 μg/puff or 225 μg/puff). Objective This study compared the efficacy and safety of the new 225 μg/puff formulation (TAA-HFA 225) to the marketed TAA inhalation aerosol (TAA-CFC) and to placebo in adult patients with moderate-to-severe persistent asthma. Methods After a 5-day to 21-day baseline period during which all patients received TAA-CFC 150 μg/day, 538 patients were randomized to one of the following treatment schedules: TAA-HFA 450, 900, or 1800 μg/day; TAA-CFC 450 or 900 μg/day; or placebo for 12 weeks. Results All active treatment groups showed statistically significant improvement compared with placebo in pulmonary function (FEV1, FEF25-75%, morning and evening PEF), use of rescue albuterol, and asthma symptom scores. Improvements in all variables occurred within 1 week of treatment. Conclusions The TAA-HFA 225 exhibited similar safety and efficacy profiles to the two equivalent doses of TAA-CFC studied. Our findings indicate that TAA-HFA is a safe and effective replacement for the currently marketed CFC-containing product. The higher strength 225 μg/puff formulation provides effective control of asthma with fewer inhalations.

Triamcinolone acetonide (TAA) Aqueous nasal inhaler is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for the symptoms associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). This study compared the safety and efficacy of once-daily administration of TAA Aqueous nasal inhaler (110 μg and 220 μg) with placebo in a pediatric population with spring-grass SAR. Two hundred and twenty-three patients (6-11 years of age) were evaluated in this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial. Patients received TAA Aqueous nasal inhaler (110 μg or 220 μg) or placebo once daily for 2 weeks. Rhinitis symptoms (nasal stuffiness, discharge, sneezing, nasal index, nasal itching, and eye symptoms) were evaluated and recorded daily. Both TAA Aqueous nasal inhaler dosages were more effective than placebo in relieving the symptoms of SAR over the 2-week treatment period. Patients in the 110-μg group had significantly (P < 0.05) greater mean reductions in nasal stuffiness, nasal discharge, and nasal index compared to placebo after...