title: [Role of long-acting beta-agonists in the treatment of asthma].
abstract: Long acting beta2-agonists (LABA) are one of the most widely prescribed anti-asthmatic therapies. Nevertheless, their chronic utilization has been associated in large clinical studies with severe asthma exacerbations and asthma-related deaths raising concern about their safety. Awaiting further evidence to definitely identify susceptible subgroups, LABA should be used with caution. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is the preferred asthma controller option and LABA should be used only in association with ICS in patients insufficiently controlled under ICS therapy.
authors.affiliation: Service de médecine interne générale, HUG, 1211 Genève 14. christophe.marti@hcuge.ch
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marti
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Janssens
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rutschmann
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists