title: Combination inhalers containing inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta2-agonists: improved clinical efficacy and dosing options in patients with asthma.
abstract: Combination therapy with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long-acting beta2-agonists (LABA) is a recognized treatment for adults with moderate to severe asthma. The introduction of inhalers containing both an ICS and a LABA simplifies treatment and improves asthma control. This review discusses clinical evidence that budesonide/formoterol and salmeterol/fluticasone are effective and well tolerated in asthma treatment. Moreover, the rapid onset of effect and long duration of action of budesonide and formoterol make once-daily dosing, adjustable maintenance dosing, and the novel treatment strategy of using budesonide/formoterol for maintenance and as needed for symptom relief, valuable treatment options for patients with asthma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University Hospital Lund, Lund, Sweden. Jaro.Ankerst@med.lu.se
authors.forename: Jaro
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ankerst
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000328:Adult; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019819:Budesonide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000069502:Budesonide, Formoterol Fumarate Drug Combination; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000068297:Fluticasone-Salmeterol Drug Combination; D006801:Humans; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000730:Androstadienes; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000069502:Budesonide, Formoterol Fumarate Drug Combination; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004983:Ethanolamines; D000068297:Fluticasone-Salmeterol Drug Combination; D019819:Budesonide; D000420:Albuterol