|
SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 2007
September 10, 2007
Budesonide/formoterol combination therapy in mild-moderate asthma
Summary
Background - An inhaler containing a combination of budesonide (Bud), an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), and formoterol (Form) a long acting beta agonist (LABA) has been found to be more effective than Bud or Form alone in the treatment of moderate to severe persistent asthma (PA). But how do such treatments compare in mild to moderate PA?
Findings - Corren et al of the Allergy Research Foundation in Los Angeles, CA carried out a 12 week, multicenter double blind study of 480 adults with mild-moderate PA. After this time, they found that the FEV-1 increased significantly more in those treated with the Bud/Form combination inhaler (160/9) b.i.d. than with Bud alone (160 b.i.d.). Form alone (9 b.i.d.) or placebo (p<0.005). Fewer patients treated with the Bud/Form inhaler had significant worsening of asthma than seen in those treated with Form alone or placebo. However, the frequency of such worsening was not significant in Bud/Form vs Bud alone treated subjects.
Reference
Clin Ther 2007;29:823-43
Editor's Comments
These findings add to a body of evidence that treatment with a combination ICS/LABA inhaler is quite effective in PA of varying severity. However, it should be stressed that the FDA recommends adding LABA to ICS therapy of PA only when the PA cannot be adequately controlled with moderate dose ICS alone. It is also stated that LABA should not be used as monotherapy of PA.
|