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Inhaled Budesonide/Formoterol Combination

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Abstract

▴ Current evidence suggests that the addition of the long acting inhaled β2-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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Adis International limited, 41 Centorian Drive, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland 10, New Zealand

    Jane K. McGavin, Karen L. Goa & Blair Jarvis

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  1. Jane K. McGavin
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  2. Karen L. Goa
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  3. Blair Jarvis
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Correspondence to Jane K. McGavin.

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McGavin, J.K., Goa, K.L. & Jarvis, B. Inhaled Budesonide/Formoterol Combination. Drugs 61, 71–78 (2001). https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-200161010-00007

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