What is the role of esterification for local and systemic effects?
Another feature of inhaled corticosteroids that can affect local and systemic effects is steroid esterification. Budesonide is a glucocorticoid, which after absorption into the cell can undergo local, but reversible esterification. These budesonide esters provide a local inactive depot of budesonide from which active budesonide is gradually released and results in less pronounced systemic effects in tissues such as blood and muscles. The esterification and budesonide ester depot also allow for once-daily dose administration.
