title: Asthma. A summary of first-choice treatments.
abstract: First identify and avoid factors that trigger or aggravate asthma attacks First-line treatment for asthma is inhaled salbutamol: used on demand to relieve respiratory discomfort or to prevent attacks due to a known trigger; or on a daily basis if necessary, in combination with an inhaled corticosteroid such as beclometasone, for patients with persistent asthma. Treatment of severe persistent asthma is based on daily use of a high-dose inhaled corticosteroid, or possibly an oral corticosteroid, for as short a period as possible. To limit adverse effects and drug interactions, the dose should be reduced, or the treatment gradually withdrawn, once asthma is under control.