Effectiveness of ciclesonide versus budesonide in patients with asthma (18 to 75 y) (BY9010/M1-136)

Exclusion Criteria

• - Concomitant severe diseases or diseases which are contraindications for the use of inhaled steroids
• - Concomitant COPD (chronic bronchitis or emphysema) and/or other relevant lung diseases causing alternating impairment in lung function
• - An asthma exacerbation or an infection of the lower airways prior to entry into the baseline period
• - Pregnancy
• - Intention to become pregnant during the course of the study
• - Breast feeding
• - Lack of safe contraception
• - Patient is current smoker with 10 or more pack-years
• - Patient is ex-smoker with 10 or more pack-years