Intranasal Corticosteroid Prapaporn Pornsuriyasak, M.D.*, Paraya Assanasen, M.D.** *Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, **Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand. Siriraj Med J 2008;60:90-95 E-journal: http://www.sirirajmedj.com
Rapidly metabolized intranasal corticosteroid (INS), elastase, and plasminogen activator. Furthermore, lympho-
with high topical potency and low systemic bioacti-
cyte proliferation and delayed type hypersensitivity are
vity, was introduced for perennial rhinitis in 1974
also inhibited by corticosteroids in vitro.
and found to be as effective as corticosteroids admini-
The role of corticosteroids in the management of
stered systemically.These second-generation INSs
allergic rhinitis is influenced by their effect on the inflam-
include beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP), budesonide
matory cells and chemical mediators that are released in
(BUD), flunisolide (FLU), fluticasone propionate (FP),
the early- and late-phase allergic responses. The early-
triamcinolone acetonide (TAA), mometasone furoate (MF),
phase allergic response is characterized by an initial period
and fluticasone furoate (FF). Although these INSs represent
of sensitization to a specific allergen. Subsequent exposure
improvements relative to earlier topical corticos-teroids,
to the inciting allergen causes cross-linking of IgE antibodies
they do vary from one to the other in potency and systemic
located on the surface of mast cells residing in the nasal
bioactivity. For example, MF is equal in potency to FP
mucosa, which results in mast cell degranulation and the
and is considered to be the most potent INS to date and
release of various chemical mediators, such as histamine.
has almost undetectable systemic availability. FF, the most
These mediators cause the infiltration of inflammatory
recently introduced INS, is a novel, enhanced-affinity
cells in the peripheral blood to the site of exposure. The
glucocorticoid with potent anti-inflammatory activity
ensuing cascade of events is termed the late-phase allergic
administered in a unique side-actuated device. Among the
response and is characterized by hyper-reactivity of the
therapeutic indications for INS are seasonal and perennial
allergic rhinitis, nonallergic rhinitis, acute and chronicrhinosinusitis, rhinitis medicamentosa, and nasal poly-
Pharmacokinetics
Pharmacokinetics are the processes that ultimately
determine the concentration of the drug at the receptor
Mechanism of action
site. The volume of distribution is the fluid volume required
Corticosteroids are highly effective in mitigating
to contain the entire drug at the same concentration existing
inflammation. The ability to modulate the expression of
in the blood and is a measure of relative tissue uptake.
various arms of the immune response has led to widespread
Clearance is the rate of elimination by all routes relative
use in various inflammatory states. Corticosteroids act
to the concentration of drug in the blood and is a measure
primarily by regulating protein synthesis. Whether adminis-
of the elimination capacity. The half-life is the relation
tered topically or systemically, the unbound steroid molecule
between volume of distribution and clearance and is the
enters the cytoplasm of corticosteroid-responsive tissues
time it takes for the plasma concentration to be reduced
by passively diffusing across the cell membrane. In the
by 50%. Factors included in half-life are the time to reach
cytoplasm, it binds to a glucocorticoid receptor forming a
steady state and the decay rate from steady-state
complex that undergoes a conformational change. In
concentrations. Bioavailability is the amount of drug that
addition, corticosteroids stabilize lysosomal membranes,
reaches the systemic circulation. In the case of drugs that
block the effect of migratory inhibitory factor, decrease
are administered locally, such as the INS, the term systemic
permeability, and inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokine
availability is more appropriate. A reference formulation
production, including that of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, the
is used to calculate the extent of systemic availability.
IL-2 receptor, interferon (IFN)-α, tumor necrosis factor
The term absolute systemic availability is used when
(TNF), and various colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) such
intravenous dosing is used as the standard. These kinetic
as IL-3. Even in very low concentrations, corticosteroids
properties are described as the absorption, distribution,
can inhibit the synthesis of a variety of pro-inflammatory
metabolism, and excretion properties of the drug. Although
enzymes, including the macrophage products, collagenase,
INS is applied topically, a significant portion can beabsorbed systemically. The goal of INS design is to achievea high ratio of topical to systemic activity because this
Correspondence to: Paraya Assanasen
increases the potential for desired therapeutic effects relative
E-mail: paraya.assanasen@gmail.com
to undesired systemic effects (therapeutic ratio). 90 Delivery device TABLE 1. Systemic availability after intranasal corticosteroid
Delivery devices have evolved to meet specific
requirements for efficacious and tolerable delivery of INS. Systemic availability (%)
The Freon-propelled aerosols first used to deliver INS
distributed the drug poorly. Metered-dose pump sprays
were used to deliver FP solubilized in polyethylene glycol
and propylene glycol, although this approach caused nasal
stinging. Aqueous pump sprays and pure powder formula-tions are now the more common methods of deliverybecause the intranasal distribution of drug is more favorable
poorly absorbed into the systemic circulation because of
than with a pressurized aerosol. Delivery of aqueous
their lipophilicity. When the area under the concentration-
suspensions by pump spray provides better drug deposition
time curve after intranasal administration is compared with
at the ciliated mucous membrane rather than the nonciliated
that for intravenous administration, the absolute systemic
anterior when compared with pressurized aerosol. Studies
availability can be calculated4 (Table 1). For both FP and
with TAA indicate greater systemic levels when administered
MF, the systemic availability is very low. It is important
in an aqueous rather than aerosol formulation for allergic
to remember that, in many cases, the plasma concentration
rhinitis.1 Actual quantitative comparisons of drug delivered
of the drug was below the limit of quantification of the
by different devices are complicated by the large amounts
of drug deposited in the nozzle of pressurized aerosols. However, there appears to be approximately the same
Distribution
degree of symptom reduction by pressurized aerosols and
Once in the systemic circulation, many corticosteroids
aqueous pump sprays.2 After intranasal administration, there
are highly bound by plasma albumin. The degree of plasma
is nasociliary clearance of the drug into the throat.
protein binding for several corticosteroids has been
Approximately 80% of the drug is available for absorption
determined, including TAA (71%), FLU (80%), BDP (87%),
at the nasal mucosa. Significant amounts of drug (10% to
BUD (88%), FP (90%), and MF (>90%).5 Binding to
20%) remained in the target areas of the frontal cavity
plasma proteins, primarily albumin, is generally greater
with the more lipophilic corticosteroids. The volume ofdistribution is a classic pharmacokinetic parameter derived
Absorption
from intravenous drug administration. It reflects the tissue
There are two aspects of absorption regarding the
distribution of the drug, with higher amounts indicating
INS. One is topical absorption at the target site (the nose)
greater amounts of drug either protein bound or in peripheral
that determines therapeutic efficacy and the other is systemic
tissue outside of the systemic circulation. As the lipophilicity
absorption (Fig 1). Systemic absorption either occurs from
of a corticosteroid increases, so does the volume of distribu-
the fraction of INS swallowed and subsequently absorbed
through the gastrointestinal tract or from the fractionabsorbed into the blood at the nasal mucosa. The amount
Metabolism
of drug reaching target tissues and exerting a therapeutic
BDP is a prodrug metabolized by many tissues,
effect relative to the amount reaching the systemic circulation
including the nose, into the more active metabolite, beclome-
is a measure of safety for topically applied drugs, such as
thasone monopropionate (BMP). Compared with a corticos-
teroid receptor affinity of 1 for dexamethasone, the relative
Some corticosteroids (e.g. BUD) are well absorbed
binding affinity of BDP is 0.53, whereas that of the
through the nasal mucosa directly into the systemic
metabolite, BMP, is almost 25-fold greater.5 In a study
circulation. In contrast, FP and MF are believed to be
that compared the relative binding affinities of MF, FP,BUD, and TAA with dexamethasone (dexamethasonebinding affinity was defined as 100), all of the corticosteroidshad greater binding affinity than did dexamethasone. MFshowed the highest affinity for the corticosteroid receptorwith a relative binding affinity, followed by FP, BUD,and TAA.5
Systemic absorption of the swallowed portion of the
dose may be inactivated by the first-pass effect (i.e., meta-bolism of the drug by the liver before entering the systemiccirculation). Rapid inactivation in the gastrointestinal tractminimizes systemic activity from the swallowed portion. As a result, the oral bioavailability of FP is low becauseof poor absorption from the gastrointestinal tract and anextensive first-pass metabolism. MF also undergoes extensivemetabolism in the liver; consequently, systemic absorptionis extremely low (Fig 1).6
Elimination Fig 1. The fate of intranasal corticosteroid. The amount of intranasal
Half-life is a function of clearance rate and volume.
corticosteroid that reaches the systemic circulation is the sum of
After multiple doses of a drug, the plasma concentration
the nasal and oral bioavailable fractions. The majority of the
rises until it reaches a steady-state concentration. As a
drug is swallowed, and systemic bioavailability is determined by
general rule, it takes about 5 half-lives for a drug to reach
the absorption from the gastrointestinal tract and the degree of
its steady-state concentration during repeated dosing. The
greatest half-life value currently reported is for FP. MF
Siriraj Med J, Volume 60, Number 2, March-April 200891
has the second-greatest half-life, followed by BUD, FLU,
rhinitis or when nasal congestion is a major component
and may be an alternative to antihistamines. Clinical data
Most pharmacokinetic analyses are performed on
show that INS is highly effective in treating the symptoms
healthy adults, and few data exist for children. When the
of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis and non-allergic
pharmacokinetic parameters of BUD were investigated in
rhinitis and in preventing the onset of symptoms in such
children (10 to 13 years of age), the half-life (1.5 hours)
patients.12 INS is significantly more effective than leuko-
was shorter and the weight-adjusted clearance was
triene-receptor antagonists alone or leukotriene-receptor
approximately 50% higher than those values previously
antagonists combined with antihistamine in the treatment
reported for adults.7 The authors postulate that this finding
of grass pollen-induced rhinitis.13 In agreement with this
may be the result of a higher hepatic blood flow in chil-
finding, meta-analyses of 11 randomized controlled trials
dren. Assuming that this suggestion is correct, more rapid
show that leukotriene-receptor antagonists did not differ
systemic elimination in children compared with adults
from antihistamines and were less effective than INS in
would be expected for other high clearance drugs, including
reducing nasal symptoms and improving rhinoconjunctivitis
quality of life of patients with allergic rhinitis.14 INS hasalso been shown to relieve ocular symptoms in patients
Implications of pharmacodynamics
with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.15 One likely mechanism
Pharmacokinetic parameters such as systemic
is probably the modulation of a naso-ocular neurogenic
availability, clearance, and half-life can be used to assess
reflex. Rhinitis therapy has been reported to improve the
the relative systemic exposure to INS. The expectation
subjective and objective measures of asthma. Data from a
that low systemic exposure results in minimal adverse
large managed care organization collected to analyze patients
systemic effects has been examined by monitoring sensitive
with asthma and concomitant rhinitis revealed patients
systemic indexes, such as hypothalmic-pituitary-adrenal
who used INS had a significantly lowered risk of both
(HPA) axis effects. The second-generation INS causes
asthma-related emergency department treatment visits and
minimal systemic effects at recommended doses, with the
hospitalizations.16 Nonsedating antihistamine use showed
possible exception of FP, which showed significant
no significant trend toward reduced visits in this study.
suppression of overnight urinary cortisol when compared
Patients using both INS and second generation antihistamines
with TAA and BDP. Reviews of intranasal administration
had a further reduction over patients using INS alone.
of BDP, BUD, FLU, FP, and MF indicate no detectable
However, the efficacy of INS on asthma outcomes in
effects on measures of HPA axis function at recommended
patients with rhinitis and asthma was recently evaluated
doses, which is in agreement with rapid hepatic metabolism
by meta-analyses of 14 randomized controlled trials.17 INS
of these INSs.4 Therefore, the improved pharmacokinetic
tended to improve asthma symptoms and forced expiratory
parameters of the second-generation INS maximize efficacy
volume in one second (FEV ), but the results did not
Clinical use of INS 3) Rhinosinusitis 1) Allergic fungal sinusitis
Rhinosinusitis is defined as inflammation of the
Atopy, continuous antigenic exposure, and inflammation
paranasal mucous membranes, which leads to nasal
all play roles in the perpetuation of the disease. The
obstruction, poor drainage, and nasal infection. Classic
mainstay of any combination treatment for allergic fungal
symptoms of acute rhinosinusitis include nasal congestion,
sinusitis remains surgical removal of the allergic mucin
purulent discharge, fever, headache, facial pain, and
and fungal elements along with creation of the sinuses.
post-nasal drip. Being an anti-inflammatory drug, INS
As a single modality, functional endoscopic sinus surgery
appears to be a rational approach to relieve nasal and
results in a high rate of recurrence, and therefore medical
possibly sinus ostial obstruction in rhinosinusitis. Study
therapy is mandatory. This intervention can occur preopera-
data indicate that concomitant administration of INS with
tively in the form of corticosteroid administration to decrease
antibiotic in the treatment of acute rhinosinusitis is more
the intranasal polyposis and inflammation. In addition,
effective, in terms of symptom relief, than antibiotic therapy
corticosteroids should be administered postoperatively
alone.18, 19 Moreover, in patients with acute, uncomplicated
both topically and systemically, but the duration and
rhinosinusitis, INS alone produced significant symptom
optimal dosing remain unclear. Multiple studies8-11 have
improvements versus amoxicillin and placebo, without
shown improvement in symptoms as well as increased
predisposing the patient to disease recurrence or bacterial
time to recurrence and improvement in overall recurrence
rates with corticosteroid administration, and the data seem
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is broadly regarded as
to support a longer period than a shorter one.
inflammation of the nose and paranasal sinuses lastinglonger than 12 weeks. Neutrophils, macrophages, lympho-
2) Allergic rhinitis
cytes, and eosinophils are among the characteristic inflamma-
Allergic rhinitis is a hypersensitivity to inhaled allergens,
tory cells infiltrating the sinus mucosa in CRS. Ultimately,
with symptoms including congestion, rhinorrhea, sneezing,
the inflammatory process leads to fibrosis, thickening of
and nasal itching. Corticosteroids are the most potent
the mucosa, and obstruction of the ostiomeatal complex.
preparations available for relief of the symptoms of nasal
In the treatment of CRS, INS is a staple of treatment.
allergy since they alter the course of both the early and
Steroids in topical and systemic forms have been used
late phases of allergic rhinitis and reduce hyperactivity of
widely in the treatment of CRS. Their use should improve
nasal mucosa. They minimize allergic inflammation by
patency of the ostiomeatal complex by way of reduction
decreasing capillary permeability, stabilizing lysosomal
in mucosal swelling. The myriad actions of corticosteroids,
membranes, blocking the effect of migratory inhibitory
and especially their ability to reduce airway eosinophil
factors, and suppressing portions of the arachidonic acid
infiltration by directly preventing increased viability and
cascade. INS is then a first line of treatment for allergic
activation of eosinophils and indirectly to reduce secretion
rhinitis especially in patients with moderate-to-severe allergic
of chemotactic cytokines by nasal mucosa, make them an
92 TABLE 2. Treatment with intranasal corticosteroid in persistent rhinosinusitis without nasal polyposis Effect on symptoms Other effects
mRNA for IL-4, and IL-5significantly improved
mucociliary clearancesignificantly improved
obvious choice. To date, five randomized control trials
the genome of all inflammatory cells. This decreases
have investigated the use of topical corticosteroids in
cytokines and chemokines known to be derived from
CRS.21-25 Two of these trials involved intrasinus instal-
lymphocytes, eosinophils, and other inflammatory cells
lation.21,22 The other three involved topical treatment23-25
that are part of the inflammatory events in nasal polyposis.30
Four of the five trials demonstrated significant impro-
These resulted in reduced symptoms of rhinitis, improved
vement in symptoms with no evidence of increased infection
nasal breathing and reduced size and number of polyps,
although INS appears to have less effect on improving the
Another common problem in CRS is olfactory
sense of smell. Thus, corticosteroids form the mainstay
dysfunction. Rather than being only an obstructive
of medical treatment. Surgery is reserved for severe and
phenomenon from mucosal edema or polyps (transport
non-responding nasal polyposis patients.
disorder), hyposmia or anosmia resulted in part from the
Systemic (oral, intramuscular, or intravenous) corticos-
direct effects of inflammatory processes on the olfactory
teroids can reduce the size of nasal polyps to an extent
epithelium, the surface of the olfactory receptors, or the
that is comparable with surgery. Often a systemic burst is
olfactory mucus bathing the receptors (sensory disorder).
used to shrink large obstructive polyps to provide more
Aside from decreasing edema and improving the nasal
area to apply INS therapy. Treatment with topical steroid
airway in CRS, systemic steroids also seem to affect
nasal drops in patients who had nasal polyposis and CRS
olfactory neuron function in certain cases, perhaps by
also had improved symptom scores, improved nasal airflow,
decreasing inflammatory cytokines. The side effects of
decreased polyp volume, and obviated the need for surgery
systemic steroids make their prolonged use impractical for
in about half of the treated patients.31 INS reduces polyp
continuous treatment of olfactory loss. Unfortunately, INS,
recurrence and the requirement for repetitive sinonasal
which is safe for long-term daily use, does not have
surgery and should be used in the long term.32, 33
equivalent beneficial effects on olfaction.26 In supporting
The patient with the tetrad of symptoms including
this concept, approximately 50% of anosmic patients with
nasal polyps, asthma, aspirin intolerance, and CRS has
CRS undergoing sinus surgery alone would have a persistent
been classified as having ASA triad or Samterûs triad.
postoperative olfactory deficit. They were unresponsive to
These patients have often had multiple polypectomies,
INS, but most of these patientsû sense of smell was restored
and the aggressive postoperative medical management of
with oral steroids.27 In recalcitrant rhinosinusitis, new
these patients is paramount to delay recurrence of polyposis.
intranasal/intrasinus catheters have recently been developed
Clinical experience has generally shown a good response
to allow the direct application of steroid formulations into
to oral steroids in these patients. The need for oral steroids
the maxillary sinus.28 Intranasal applications of steroids
may be offset by using a higher concentration of nasal
have been shown to decrease the levels of inflammatory
mediators in the local milieu of the sinus as well as inserum.29
5) Eustachian tube dysfunction and/ or otitis media with effusion 4) Nasal polyp
Eustachian tube dysfunction and / or otitis media with
Nasal polyposis is a disease of the nasal and paranasal
effusion (OME) is common and may cause hearing loss
mucous membranes. It is characterized by edematous, semi-
with associated developmental delay in children. The use
translucent masses arising from the mucosal lining of the
of topical flunisolide has been reported to accelerate the
middle nasal meatus. The presenting symptoms of nasal
return of normal eustachian tube function in allergic
polyposis are nasal congestion, difficulties in breathing,
children.34 Recently, the effectiveness of INS in promoting
post-nasal drip, and loss of sense of smell. The etiology is
the resolution of effusions has been assessed by meta-
multifactor, and the exact pathophysiology is unknown.
analyses of randomized controlled trials. It was found that
However, T-cells and their cytokine profiles in nasal polyps
INS alone or in combination with an antibiotic lead to a
are of clinical significance, since the use of topical anti-
quicker resolution of OME in the short term. However,
inflammatory agents, such as corticosteroids, may have a
there is no evidence of a long term benefit from treating
beneficial effect because of their ability to down-regulate
OME or associated hearing loss with INS.35
Siriraj Med J, Volume 60, Number 2, March-April 200893 6) Posttraumatic olfactory dysfunction
studies corroborate results from those seen in adults and
Although injury to the olfactory neurons or their cortical
demonstrate that use in children (age > 3 years) is safe
projections cannot be treated medically, some posttraumatic
conductive olfactory deficits can. Direct trauma to thesinonasal region may lead to mucosal edema or hematoma
2) Effects on growth and bone metabolism
formation. Local administration of steroids improves olfac-
Studies have shown that INS administered at recom-
mended doses is not associated with impairment in growth
To yield the greatest benefit, INS must be delivered
and subsequent final adult height. However, these studies
into a relatively patent airway. Thus, if large polyps,
are limited since there have been no prospective, long-
severe septal deviation, or marked mucosal edema are
term data analyzing the effect of regular INS use on final
present, the sprays are less effective. Once treatment is
adult height.45 This is currently being facilitated by gradually
begun, the patient must continue the therapy for at least
lowering ages of approval for the use of INS by the
1 to 2 weeks (the time required for maximum effect to be
evident) and often longer. Intermittent or as-needed dosages
The effects of INS on bone metabolism are a specific
are less effective. Evaluation of patients at regular intervals
concern in certain patient groups such as children, the
by the treating physician is necessary to detect undesirable
elderly, postmenopausal women, and those receiving steroids
local or systemic corticosteroid effects.
for other concurrent conditions. These patients are moresusceptible to the potential adverse effects of steroid use
Use of INS in children
as their thresholds may more readily be reached or exceeded.
There has been a rise in INS usage with the recognition
However, current studies that have evaluated the effects
that long-term treatment is beneficial for seasonal and
of INS on bone metabolism have also been limited by the
perennial rhinitis. Although the use of INS to treat allergic
lack of long-term studies. As with growth effects, it is
rhinitis is generally thought to be associated with minimal
difficult to assess the effects of INS on bone, due to
serious adverse events in adults, increased long-term use
confounding factors such as nutritional status and underlying
in children has raised concerns about the potential for
disease. Short-term studies in both children and adults,
pediatric-specific effects, such as growth suppression. A
however, demonstrate no significant effect on bone mineral
1-year study showed that use of 168 μg BDP aqueous
nasal spray twice daily resulted in a significant suppressionof growth in children compared with placebo.38 However,
3) Ocular changes
other similar studies have shown no suppression of bone
The risk of ocular side effects appears to be negligible
growth in children after 1 year of treatment with the
due to the low systemic bioavailability of most available
recommended pediatric dose of MF nasal spray (100 μg
daily)39 or with BUD (200 μg twice daily).40
4) Infection Adverse effects
Use of INS has not been associated with infectious
A. Systemic adverse effects
complications23,47 although other forms of inhaled steroids
1) Effects on the HPA axis
(such as those used in asthma) are associated with
The vast majority of data in the literature indicate
oropharyngeal candidiasis and have infrequently been
that therapeutic doses of INS have very minimal effects
associated with infectious complications.48-50
on the HPA axis function. The time of administrating thedose has demonstrated a variable effect on the HPA axis. B. Local adverse effects
A few studies have shown that doses administered in the
INS has been associated with several local side effects
late afternoon and evening affect the normal and nocturnal
such as epistaxis, dryness, and burning. These local side
decrease in plasma cortisol concentrations.41 From a practical
effects occur in approximately 5% to 10% of patients and
viewpoint, the long-term clinical history of INS therapy is
occur with most available INS preparations. Studies have
informative. Clinically significant suppression of the HPA
focused on the effects of these drugs on the nasal mucosa.
axis because of INS therapy alone appears to be exceedingly
Initial concerns regarding atrophy of the nasal mucosa
rare. Detectable suppression of childhood growth was
with chronic topical steroid use were addressed in a study
observed when an INS with relatively poor first-pass
evaluating the long-term effects of the newer generation,
inactivation was administered twice daily continuously
more potent INS on nasal mucosa histology. The use of
throughout the year.6 Of note, most currently available
MF and FP over a 12-month period demonstrated no
INS preparations are given once-daily in the morning and
evidence of atrophy or metaplasia.51,52 There have been a
thus, do not have significant adverse effects on the circardian
few case reports of septal perforations associated with
rhythm of the HPA axis.42 A major concern to clinicians
INS use53, but this complication occurs mostly with the
is prescribing INS to children. Several studies have
very early preparations and can be avoided with appropriate
demonstrated a similar safety profile of INS with respect
use of these agents. The general recommendation is to
to the HPA axis, as that observed in adults.43,44 These
spray the contents toward the lateral nasal wall as opposedto the septum to maximize the anti-inflammatory action
TABLE 3. Lower age limits for licensed prescription of intranasal
on the nasal mucosa while avoiding the potential dryness,
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