Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026
14:39
Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
Published on: November 4, 2010
Budesonide/formoterol improves lung function compared with budesonide alone in children with asthma
Petr Pohunek1, Piotr Kuna, Carin Jorup
1University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic. petr.pohunek@lfmotol.cuni.cz
Summary
Budesonide/formoterol significantly improved lung function in children with asthma compared to budesonide alone. This combination therapy is a safe and effective asthma treatment option for pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Asthma management in children requires effective and safe treatment options.
- Combination inhalers offer potential benefits in adherence and efficacy.
- Evaluating budesonide/formoterol against separate inhaler components is crucial for treatment guidance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy and safety of budesonide/formoterol versus budesonide alone and budesonide plus formoterol in separate inhalers.
- To assess the impact on lung function and asthma symptoms in pediatric patients.
- To determine the optimal combination therapy for childhood asthma.
Main Methods:
- A 12-week, double-blind study involving 630 children aged 4-11 years with asthma.
- Randomization to three groups: budesonide/formoterol, budesonide alone, or budesonide + formoterol in separate inhalers.
- Primary endpoint: change in morning peak expiratory flow (PEF); secondary endpoints: lung function (FEV1), asthma symptoms, and safety.
Main Results:
- Budesonide/formoterol significantly improved morning PEF, evening PEF, and FEV1 compared to budesonide alone (p < 0.001).
- No significant differences in lung function were observed between budesonide/formoterol and budesonide + formoterol in separate inhalers.
- All groups showed improvements in asthma symptoms; adverse event profiles were similar, with no serious asthma-related events.
Conclusions:
- Budesonide/formoterol demonstrates superior efficacy in improving lung function in children with asthma compared to budesonide monotherapy.
- The combination therapy is a safe and effective treatment choice for pediatric asthma management.
- Budesonide/formoterol offers a viable alternative to using separate inhalers for budesonide and formoterol.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists
Bronchodilators are critical in managing asthma, a chronic respiratory condition characterized by airway constriction due to inflammation and hyper-reactivity. Specifically, bronchodilators ease this constriction by relaxing the bronchial muscles, facilitating easier breathing.
One class of bronchodilators includes β2-adrenoceptor agonists. These agents target the β2-adrenoceptors located on bronchial smooth muscle cells. By stimulating these receptors, β2-agonists induce relaxation in these...
One class of bronchodilators includes β2-adrenoceptor agonists. These agents target the β2-adrenoceptors located on bronchial smooth muscle cells. By stimulating these receptors, β2-agonists induce relaxation in these...
01:19Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers
Leukotriene modifiers, or cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonists, are medications used to manage chronic asthma. These agents target specific inflammatory mediators produced during arachidonic acid metabolism, an essential process in generating inflammation in the body.
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
01:23Inhaled Medications
Inhaled medications are crucial for managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. They are essential for effective treatment and control, ensuring optimal respiratory health and well-being. Inhaled medication delivers drugs directly to the lungs, providing a rapid onset of action and reducing systemic side effects compared to oral or injectable medications. Three primary types of inhalation devices are used to administer these medications: nebulizers, metered-dose inhalers...
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are anti-inflammatory drugs used primarily in treating persistent asthma and providing long-term maintenance. They target the bronchial mucosa, the lining of the airways, to control inflammation, a critical factor in asthma progression and exacerbation.
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
01:30Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
The diagnosis and management of asthma are comprehensive, encompassing clinical assessments, lung function tests, and pharmacological interventions. Here's an overview:
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
01:26COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
Chronic obstructive pulmonary isease (COPD) involves a group of progressive lung disorders characterized by persistent airflow limitation and chronic respiratory symptoms. Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS), encompassing features of both asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a group of progressive lung disorders that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. ACOS leads to complex clinical presentations that combine the inflammatory...