{blacktriangledown}Seretide and {blacktriangledown}Symbicort in asthma management

doi:10.1136/dtb.2002.40862

Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin 2002;40:62-64; doi:10.1136/dtb.2002.40862

${blacktriangledown}$ Seretide and ${blacktriangledown}$ Symbicort in asthma management

Relevant BNF section: 3.2

Maintenance treatment for mild asthma frequently comprises botha regular inhaled corticosteroid and an 'as required' inhaledshort-acting ß₂-agonist. Where such treatment fails,additional regular treatment with an inhaled long-acting ß₂-agonistis increasingly recommended.¹ In the UK, combination inhalerscontaining salmeterol + fluticasone ( ${blacktriangledown}$ Seretide - Allen &Hanburys) or formoterol + budesonide ( ${blacktriangledown}$ Symbicort - AstraZeneca)are licensed for use either in "patients not adequately controlledwith inhaled corticosteroids and 'as needed' inhaled short-actingß₂-agonists" or in "patients already adequately controlledon both inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting -agonists".^2–4Here we review the efficacy of Seretide and Symbicort and discusstheir place in asthma management.