Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Inhaled Glucocorticoids

Abstract

Inhaled corticosteroids are used widely to treat asthma. A number of different steroids and inhalation devices are available. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the different inhaled corticosteroids may influence their efficacy and safety profiles. Properties of an ideal inhaled corticosteroid include low oropharyngeal deposition, low oral bioavailability, high lung deposition, long pulmonary residence times, high receptor affinity, high plasma protein binding, and efficient systemic clearance. Attention to these parameters might help clinicians optimally balance between the safety and efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids in treating individual patients with asthma.

Keywords:

• pharmacokinetics
• pharmacodynamics
• inhaled corticosteroids
• clearance
• pulmonary deposition
• protein binding