A recent meta-analysis found one inhaler product can serve as a single maintenance and reliever therapy (SMART) with lower risk of asthma exacerbation than different regimens for symptom control and acute symptom relief.
Diana Sobieraj, PharmD, Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, and colleagues conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of trials to compare SMART to the more commonly used regimens of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) with or without long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) to control symptoms, and higher dose ICS with or without LABA or a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) to relieve acute symptoms.
Researchers were working with the hypothesis the combined use of inhaled corticosteroid and formoterol in lieu of SABAs would provide quick symptom relief while delivering steroid sooner during the course of symptom deterioration. This would thereby help with “effectively managing asthma symptoms and reducing exacerbation risk,” they wrote.
