Comparing clinical efficacy of Symbicort versus Pulmicort in reducing asthma symptom and improving its control.
BACKGROUND
Recently, higher efficacy of the combination of long-acting beta2-adrenoceptor agonist and inhaled corticosteroids on controlling asthma symptoms has been hypothesized. This study aimed to examine the clinical effects of the combination of Budesonide with formoterol (Symbicort) and Budesonide (Pulmicort) alone in persistent asthma.


METHODS
In a randomized double-blinded clinical trial, 76 patients with definite diagnosis of moderate-to-severe asthma were randomized to receive Pulmicort 180 mcg/inhalation two puffs twice daily, or receive Symbicort 80/4.5 mg/inhalation two puffs twice daily, or receive Symbicort 160/4.5 mg/inhalation two puffs twice daily for 3 months. All participants were initially evaluated by spirometry for assessing respiratory parameters and also the level of asthma control was assessed by Asthma Control Test (ACT).


RESULTS
More significant improvement in spirometry parameters, including forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC ratio, as well as in peak expiratory flow (PEF) in both groups of Symbicort with the regimens 80/4.5 mg/inhalation or 160/4.5 mg/inhalation 2 puffs twice daily compared with Pulmicort group, ACT score was significantly improved in Symbicort group with the regimens 160/4.5 mg/inhalation compared with both Symbicort groups with lower dosage and Pulmicort group. Response to treatment in PEF parameter and also in ACT level was significantly more in those who received Symbicort with the regimens 160/4.5 mg/inhalation compared with other two interventional groups adjusted for gender and age.


CONCLUSIONS
Symbicort with the regimens 160/4.5 mg/inhalation has higher efficacy in reducing asthma symptom and improving its control compared with low doses of this drug and with Pulmicort.
Department of Internal Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Mohammad
M
Emami
Department of Internal Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Azadeh
A
Tayebi
Department of Metabolic Syndrome, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Centre, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Mojgan
M
Gharipour
Department of Internal Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Somayeh
S
Farzamnia
Department of Surgery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Akbar Kargari
AK
Temyarti
Asthma symptom; pulmicort; symbicort