Ciclesonide, a novel inhaled corticosteroid, is at least as effective as budesonide [Pulmicort Turbuhaler] in the treatment of asthma, according to the results of two 12-week studies presented at the 13th Annual Congress of the European Respiratory Society [Vienna, Austria; September-October 2003]. In the first study, a significantly greater mean improvement in pulmonary function was achieved in patients given ciclesonide, compared with those treated with budesonide. Furthermore, the onset of treatment benefit was earlier with ciclesonide, compared with budesonide, in this study. In the second study, once-daily treatment with ciclesonide produced increases in FEV1, forced vital capacity (FVC) and morning and evening peak expiratory flow (PEF) that were comparable to those achieved with twice-daily administration of budesonide. Two studies involving volunteers that were also presented at the meeting showed that the pharmacokinetics of ciclesonide and its active metabolite desisobutyryl ciclesonide were different from those of budesonide.