Symbicort SMART – New Concept in Asthma Treatment

Abstract:

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. Total disease control can be achieved with prolonged use of controller medications. Inhaled corticosteroids are the cornerstone of asthma treatment. Research has shown that long-acting β2-agonists combined with inhaled corticosteroids improve asthma control. A new concept of asthma treatment is based on a fixed combination of budesonide and formoterol as maintanance therapy. This combination therapy is also used as a quick relief medication for the treatment of asthma attacks. Prolonged asthma control can be achieved with a long-term use of budenoside/formoterol combination, and additional puffs taken as needed prevent worsening of the inflammation and decline in disease control. Symbicort SMART (Symbicort as Maintenance and Reliever Therapy) has significantly improved asthma tretament because a single inhaler is used for both maintanace and reliever therapy. Improved asthma control is thus achieved with lower total corticosteroid dose.

Key words:
asthma; budesonide; formoterol; symbicort