Principles of drug treatment in adults

An important aim of drug therapy is to achieve best lung function. Drug therapy should be commenced or amended appropriate to the level of severity and pattern of asthma symptoms (for further details, see Ongoing care section entitled Assess asthma control regularly). 

All patients with symptomatic asthma should be prescribed an inhaled rapid-acting beta₂ agonist as short-term reliever therapy.

• A short-acting beta₂ agonist (SABA) is recommended for most patients.
• Those taking the budesonide-eformoterol combination (Symbicort) according to the maintenance and reliever regimen use eformoterol as reliever and ought not require a separate SABA.

Content Created (Thursday, 16 November 2006)