Budesonide/formoterol dry powder in asthma: an option for control as maintenance and reliever therapy.
BACKGROUND
Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with various components that may contribute to symptoms. Obtaining global control of is one of the fundamental parts of the management of this disease.


METHODS
The Cochrane trial database, Medline and Embase, were searched systematically, and approximately 20 respiratory journals and conference abstracts were searched manually. The search was limited to publications in English language of last 20 years and which included the keywords 'budesonide', 'formoterol', 'asthma' and 'control'.


RESULTS
The purposes of this review are: i) to discuss the rationale about possibility of using combination therapy administered with a single inhaler for both daily maintenance and relief as needed of breakthrough symptoms in asthma management; ii) to give readers the current status of clinical pharmacological treatment of asthma; iii) to discuss the evidence on the use of budesonide/formoterol dry powder in one inhaler.


CONCLUSIONS
Among the various inhalatory drugs, budesonide and formoterol can be conveniently delivered in one dry powder inhaler and simplify treatment by providing immediate step-up when symptoms increase. Alongside the anti-inflammatory component, formoterol provides both short- and long-acting bronchodilator effects with maintenance and reliever properties. The option of using one inhaler simplifies treatment by simultaneously providing bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory activity, thus enhancing compliance. As indicated in guidelines, all these characteristics are essential for optimizing asthma treatment and control.
Santus
Pierachille
P
Università degli Studi di Milano, Dipartimento Toracopolmonare e Cardiocircolatorio, Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri - IRCCS, Pneumologia Riabilitativa - Istituto Scientifico di Milano, Via Camaldoli 64, 20138 Milan, Italy.
Giovannelli
Francesca
F
Di Marco
Fabiano
F
Centanni
Stefano
S
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019819:Budesonide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate; D006801:Humans; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D011208:Powders / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004983:Ethanolamines; D011208:Powders; D019819:Budesonide; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate