title: Combination therapy with inhaled long-acting beta2-agonists and inhaled corticosteroids: a paradigm shift in asthma management.
abstract: Long-acting inhaled beta2-agonists and inhaled corticosteroids are classes of drugs with different mechanisms of action that are commonly used to provide effective long-term control of persistent asthma. Scientific and clinical data support the complementary mechanisms of action of the inhaled corticosteroids and the long-acting beta2-agonists in achieving a superior level of asthma control. In addition, evidence supports significant reductions in exacerbations and effective control of airway inflammation with an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting beta2-agonist versus higher dosages of inhaled corticosteroids or combinations of other therapeutic agents with an inhaled corticosteroid. Finally, there are distinct economic advantages to combining an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting beta2-agonist in the treatment of asthma relative to other treatment regimens.
authors.affiliation: University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, USA.
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stoloff
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Poinsett-Holmes
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Dorinsky
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000420:Albuterol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019819:Budesonide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D000068298:Fluticasone; D006801:Humans; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000730:Androstadienes; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D019819:Budesonide; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D000068298:Fluticasone; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide; D000420:Albuterol