As-needed corticosteroid–beta-agonist inhalers for adults with mild to moderate asthma?
KEY POINT
As-needed use of a combination inhaler containing budesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), and formoterol, a fast-onset long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) for quick relief reduced severe asthma exacerbations compared with low-dose ICS (budesonide) maintenance plus an as-needed short-acting beta-agonist (SABA; terbutaline) inhaler, according to a recent study published in the Lancet.
SOURCES
Hardy J, et al. Budesonide–formoterol reliever therapy versus maintenance budesonide plus terbutaline reliever therapy in adults with mild to moderate asthma (PRACTICAL): A 52-week, open-label, multicenter, superiority, randomized controlled trial. Lancet. 2019;394(10202):919–28.
Gauthier M, et al. As-needed β agonist–inhaled corticosteroid in mild asthma. Lancet. 2019;394(10202):897–8.
Global Initiative for Asthma. Global strategy for asthma management and prevention. Updated 2019. Accessed November 20, 2019.
