Comparison of Inhaled Ciclesonide (160 mcg b.i.d. or 320 mcg b.i.d.) and Fluticasone Propionate (250 mcg b.i.d. or 500 mcg b.i.d.) in Pretreated Patients With Mild to Moderate Asthma

The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of ciclesonide versus fluticasone propionate versus placebo on airway hyperresponsiveness and on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis). Treatment medication will be administered as follows: ciclesonide or fluticasone propionate will be inhaled twice daily, using one of the two dose levels. The study duration consists of a baseline period (4 to 6 weeks), five treatment periods (9 days each), and a washout period between treatments (4 to 12 weeks). The study will provide further data on safety and tolerability of ciclesonide.