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Pharmacological strategies for self-management of asthma exacerbations

¹ Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, and ² Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.

CORRESPONDENCE: H. K. Reddel, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, PO Box M77 Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia. Fax: 61 295505865. E-mail: hkr{at}med.usyd.edu.au

Keywords: Asthma exacerbations, asthma management, asthma pharmacotherapy, combined modality therapy, self-management

Received: September 8, 2005
Accepted February 16, 2006

Written action plans are effective within asthma self-management, but there are few guidelines about the specific medication adjustments which can be recommended for self-treatment of exacerbations.

This review examines pharmacological strategies for self-management of asthma exacerbations in adults, including those for inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting ß₂-agonist (ICS/LABA) users.

Oral corticosteroids are well-established in clinical practice and clinical trials for the treatment of severe exacerbations, including during combination therapy. Evidence supports 7–10 days treatment, with no need to taper except to reduce side-effects. Doubling the dose of ICS is not effective. Several studies have shown benefit from high-dose ICS (2,400–4,000 µg beclomethasone equivalent) for 1–2 weeks. This may be achieved by adding a high-dose ICS inhaler to maintenance ICS or ICS/LABA therapy. There is inconclusive evidence about acutely increasing the dose of maintenance budesonide/formoterol for exacerbations, and no studies of this approach with fluticasone/salmeterol. For patients taking maintenance budesonide/formoterol, use of the same medication as-needed reduces exacerbations. Short-acting ß₂-agonists are still effective in producing bronchodilation during combination therapy; however, a higher dose may be required.

There is a need for further studies to clarify remaining issues about self-management of asthma exacerbations, particularly with regard to side-effects of treatment and patient acceptability.

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