Fixed dose combinations (FDC) of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and long-acting beta agonist (LABA) are well established in asthma treatment. The budesonide/salmeterol (B/S) FDC is now about to reach the market. It is provided as powder in hard capsules of two strengths: 120/20μg and 240/20μg when expressed as delivered doses, equivalent to 150/25μg and 300/25μg when expressed as nominal doses. Its development involved 9 pharmacokinetic (320 subjects), 3 phase II (123 subjects) and 4 phase III (1206 patients with different asthma severity) studies. Delivery is effectuated via low resistance inhaler device, Axahaler®, generating also fine particles targeting the small airways. B/S safety, assessed in 1401 subjects, did not outline novel concerns specific for this FDC. In conclusion, the B/S dry powder FDC can be used for asthma treatment in adults not adequately controlled on ICS alone, or to maintain control of ICS/LABA treated patients, in whom switching to alternative FDC is indicated.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1586/17476348.2016.1133302 | DOI Listing |
Pulmonology
December 2025
Portuguese Society of Pulmonology (SPP), Lisbon, Portugal.
Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of lower respiratory tract infection, hospitalisation and death in adults.
Methods: Based on evidence regarding the impact of RSV on adult populations at risk for severe infection and the efficacy and safety of RSV vaccines, the Portuguese Society of Pulmonology, the Portuguese Association of General and Family Medicine, the Portuguese Society of Cardiology, the Portuguese Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, the Portuguese Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, and the Portuguese Society of Internal Medicine endorses this position paper with recommendations to prevent RSV-associated disease and its complications in adults through vaccination.
Conclusion: The RSV vaccine is recommended for people aged ≥50 years with risk factors (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, heart failure, coronary artery disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, immunocompromise, frailty, dementia, and residence in a nursing home) and all persons aged ≥60 years.
Curr Allergy Asthma Rep
January 2025
Division of Immunology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
Purpose Of Review: This manuscript reviews the impact of important indoor environmental exposures on pediatric asthma, with a focus on recent literature in the field.
Recent Findings: Studies continue to support an association between numerous indoor aeroallergens and air pollutants found in homes and schools and increased asthma morbidity overall. Several recent home and school intervention studies have shown promise, though results have been overall mixed.
Pulm Ther
January 2025
US Medical Affairs, GSK, ATC Fowler Building, 410 Blackwell Street, Durham, NC, 27701, USA.
Introduction: Escalation to single- or multiple-inhaler triple therapy (SITT; MITT) is a recommended option for patients with asthma who remain uncontrolled by medium-dose inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β-agonist; however, characterization of elderly users of triple therapy is limited. This real-world cohort study describes demographics and clinical characteristics of elderly patients with asthma with and without comorbid chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are new users of triple therapy, and asthma treatment patterns preceding triple therapy initiation.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study used administrative claims data from the Optum Clinformatics Data Mart database.
Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol
January 2025
Translational Research in Pediatric Specialities, Division of Allergy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
Purpose Of Review: This review aims to provide an overview of the current and future treatment options for children with food allergies (FAs), highlighting the latest research findings and the potential impact of these new approaches on improving patients' and caregivers' quality of life.
Recent Findings: In the last decade, many promising approaches have emerged as an alternative to the standard avoidance of the culprit food with the risk of severe accidental reactions. Desensitization through oral immunotherapy has been introduced in clinical settings as a therapeutic approach, and more recently also omalizumab.
Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis
January 2025
School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Purpose: Oral corticosteroids (OCS) are recommended for the treatment of exacerbations in people with COPD; however, high cumulative lifetime doses (≥1000mg prednisolone-equivalent) are associated with adverse health effects. This issue is well defined in asthma but is less well understood in COPD. The aim of this study was to examine cumulative OCS dispensed to people with COPD over 12 months.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!