Inhaled budesonide/formoterol combination

Current evidence suggests that the addition of the long acting inhaled beta2-agonist formoterol to low or moderate doses of the inhaled corticosteroid budesonide is effective in improving lung function and reducing the incidence of asthma exacerbations. Concurrent use of budesonide with formoterol does not result in any untoward interaction that affects the pharmacodynamic or pharmacokinetic profiles of the individual drugs, or their adverse effect profiles. The administration of combined budesonide/formoterol is effective in improving morning and evening peak expiratory flow rates in adults with persistent asthma. Control of asthma symptoms is also significantly improved. In children aged 4 to 17 years, combined budesonide/formoterol is effective in increasing both morning and evening peak expiratory flow rates and significantly improving forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). The most commonly encountered adverse effects in clinical trials with combination budesonide/formoterol therapy have been respiratory infection, pharyngitis and coughing. No adverse effects on pulse rate, blood pressure or serum potassium have been reported with combination therapy.