title: [Prophylactic treatment of asthma].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review basic concepts, inhalation therapy, classification of asthma and peculiarities of asthma in developing countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Direct search in the Medline, HighWire and MD Consult databases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Inhaled corticosteroids are the drugs of choice for the treatment of asthma. Alternatively, other drugs, such as long-acting beta-agonists and antileukotrienes could be considered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At an individual level, asthma treatment presents a satisfactory outcome. However, the great challenge for public health professionals and authorities is to provide treatment for asthmatic patients from low-income families living in developing countries.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Pediatria, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG. jrubim@terra.com.br
authors.forename: José Augusto Rubim
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: de Moura
authors.forename: Paulo Augusto Moreira
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Camargos
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Blic