Budesonide/formoterol a SMART option for asthma exacerbations

According to a landmark study presented at the 16th Annual Congress of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) [Munich, Germany; September 2006], the new treatment approach of using budesonide/formoterol [Symbicort] as maintenance and reliever therapy (SMART) is more effective in reducing asthma exacerbations than a higher maintenance dose of budesonide/formoterol or salmeterol/fluticasone propionate [Seretide] plus reliever medication. A second study presented at the meeting demonstrated that SMART provided similar or improved control of asthma symptoms, compared with conventional best practice, with significantly reduced use of as-needed reliever therapy and total inhaled corticosteroid dose.