Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
November 2013 The use of Symbicort® (budesonide/formoterol) and Fostair® (beclometasone/formoterol) as regular maintenance and reliever treatment in asthma as per the SMART/MART regimens The Interface Prescribing and New Therapies Subgroup discussed the above at its meeting on the 19th November 2013. The recommendation of this subgroup is as follows:* The Interface Prescribing & New Therapies Subgroup of the GMMMG considered the use of Symbicort® (budesonide/formoterol) and Fostair® (beclometasone/formoterol) as regular maintenance and reliever treatment as per the SMART/MART regimens. The group recommends that both Symbicort® and Fostair® can be used as a treatment option for selected adults at step 3 whose asthma is poorly controlled or for selected adults at step 2 whose asthma is poorly controlled and are taking more than 400 mcg per day of beclometasone dipropionate or equivalent each day. The use of budesonide or beclometasone/formoterol in a single inhaler as rescue medication instead of a short-acting β2-agonist, in addition to its regular use as controller therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment regime and may reduce the risk of exacerbations in these patients. Careful education of patients about the specific issues around this management strategy is required. This should include advice on maximum doses and action if lack of response. Patients taking rescue ICS/LABA once a day or more on a regular basis should have their treatment reviewed. The group reminds prescribers that both these regimens are NOT licensed for patients <18 years. Review date: November 2015 * Unless superseded by NICE guidance or substantial and significant new evidence becomes available. ▼ Newly marketed drugs and vaccines are intensively monitored for a minimum of two years, in order to confirm the risk / benefit profile of the product. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to report all suspected adverse drug reactions regardless of the severity of the reaction. NOT TO BE USED FOR COMMERCIAL OR MARKETING PURPOSES