Budesonide/formoterol pressurized metered-dose inhaler for patients with persistent asthma

Abstract

The combination of budesonide and formoterol administered in one hydrofluoroalkane pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) is approved in the United States in two dosage strengths (budesonide/formoterol pMDI 80/4.5 microg x 2 inhalations [160/9 microg] or 160/4.5 microg x 2 inhalations [320/9 microg]) in a fixed-dose, twice-daily regimen for the treatment of patients > or =12 years old with persistent asthma not adequately controlled with an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) alone. This article reviews the clinical profile of budesonide/formoterol pMDI in patients with persistent asthma, including information on pharmacogenetics, efficacy, and tolerability. Studies of budesonide/formoterol pMDI in patients with asthma were identified through PubMed and respiratory meeting abstract databases. Budesonide/formoterol pMDI 160/9 microg has shown a rapid onset (within 15 minutes) of clinically significant bronchodilation that is faster than fluticasone propionate/salmeterol dry powder inhaler (DPI) 250/50 microg (within 30 minutes). The efficacy and tolerability profile of budesonide/formoterol pMDI 320/9 microg was similar to fluticasone propionate/salmeterol DPI 250/50 microg and budesonide/formoterol DPI 320/9 microg in adults and adolescents with persistent asthma. Short-term (12-week) and long-term (6- to 12-month) studies have established greater efficacy and similar tolerability of budesonide/formoterol pMDI compared with its monocomponents and placebo in patients with mild/moderate or moderate/severe persistent asthma. Studies evaluating patient-reported outcomes, including health-related quality of life and patient satisfaction with treatment, further support the benefits of budesonide/formoterol pMDI in patients with persistent asthma. In summary, budesonide/formoterol pMDI is an effective, well-tolerated treatment option for patients with persistent asthma for whom ICS/long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist combination therapy is appropriate.

Formoterol Concentrations in Blood and Urine

“…In theory, beeause of the laek of a threshold value, an athlete with a TUE for formoterol had the possibility of using the medicine in exeess to enhance performance. Formoterol is a commonly used asthma medieine in sports, espeeially in the eombination budesonide/formoterol (SMART) (8).…”

Long-term safety of budesonide/formoterol for the treatment of elderly patients with bronchial asthma

“…The addition of inhaled LABA provides a more effective means of improving lung function and asthma control than increasing the dose of ICS in patients whose asthma is not adequately controlled. FM is unique amongst LABAs as it has a fast onset of action and a long duration of effect (2,3). BUD and FM, as individual components and in combination, possess well-defined efficacy as well as pharmacological and safety profiles when administered through a single metered-dose inhaler (4,8–10).…”

Treatment with budesonide/formoterol pressurized metered-dose inhaler in patients with asthma: a focus on patient-reported outcomes

“…In both pivotal studies, mean PSAM scores at the end of treatment were significantly ( P ≤ 0.004) higher with budesonide/formoterol pMDI compared with its monocomponents or placebo (Figure 2). 31,32,40…”