Pharmacotherapy of patients with stable bronchial asthma.
Several reliever and controller medications are available for managing patients with stable asthma. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the mainstay of treatment, and can be combined with long-acting beta-agonists (LABA) for patients with moderate or severe disease. An ICS-LABA combination is best administered as a single inhaler used for both maintenance and emergency use. A stepwise approach to therapy has recently been proposed as part of Indian guidelines for management of asthma. Clinicians should advise proper use of inhaled medications, and step up or step down treatment based on adequacy of asthma control.
Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India.
Ashutosh Nath
AN
Aggarwal
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D032921:Consensus; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations