NS: nonsignificant difference; OCS: oral corticosteroid; AUC: area under curve; NR: not reported; IQR: interquartile range; PEFR: peak expiratory flow rate. ^#: Expressed as intervention minus control (negative values indicate lower F_eNO). ^¶: Asthma scores were as follows. 0 (stable): morning PEFR >75% of best PEFR in 14-day run-in period without deterioration in any symptom scores. 1 (mildly unstable): one or more of the following a) bronchodilator use on two or more occasions in 24 h more than the rounded mean number of occasions during the run-in period; b) increase in symptom score of 1 point or more as compared with rounded mean during run-in period; c) onset of or increase in nocturnal waking by one or more times in the previous seven nights more than rounded mean number of times during the run-in period, or morning PEFR of 61–75% without deterioration in any of the above categories. 2 (minor deterioration): morning PEFR of 61–75% of best PEFR during the run-in period and one or more criteria for an asthma score of 1; or morning PEFR of 41–60% without deterioration in any criteria for an asthma score of 1. 3 (major deterioration): morning PEFR of 41–60% of best PEFR during run-in period and one or more criteria for an asthma score of 1. 4 (major exacerbation or medical emergency): morning PEFR of 40% or less than best PEFR during run-in period regardless of symptoms, or attendance at clinician's office or emergency department because of severe asthma. ⁺: Estimated off graph. ^§: Fluticasone or the equivalent. ^ƒ: Beclomethasone diproprionate or equivalent. ^##: American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society Task Force Criteria 2009. ^¶¶: Budesonide equivalent. ⁺⁺: At-home measurements: 1) Pre-bronchodilator AM peak expiratory flow (PEF) of <65% of baseline on two consecutive mornings, scheduled measurements. 2) Post-bronchodilator PEF of <80% of baseline despite 60 min of rescue β-agonist treatment. 3) Post-bronchodilator PEF may be taken at any time of day, an increase in albuterol use of more than 8 puffs per 24 h over baseline use for a period of 48 h, or more than 16 puffs per 24 h for more than 48 h. In-clinic measurements: 1) Pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) values on two consecutive sets of spirometric determinations, measured 24–72 h apart, that are <80% of the baseline pre-bronchodilator value (baseline value for adherence period: FEV₁ value at visit 3; baseline for randomisation period: FEV₁ value at visit 4). All participants found to have an FEV₁ of <80% of baseline at any centre visit but who are not considered to meet treatment failure or exacerbation criteria must be seen again within 72 h to have FEV₁ measured. 2) Physician judgment for patient safety. 3) Patient dissatisfaction with asthma control achieved by study regimen. 4) Requirement for open-label ICSs or another (nonsystemic corticosteroid) new asthma medication (e.g. montelukast) without the addition of systemic corticosteroids.