Advice regarding using LABAs in chronic asthma

In the management of chronic asthma, LABAs should:

• only be added if regular use of standard-dose ICS has failed to control asthma adequately
• not be initiated in patients with rapidly deteriorating asthma
• be introduced as a low dose and the effect properly monitored before considering a dose increase
• be discontinued in the absence of benefit
• be reviewed as clinically appropriate: stepping down therapy should be considered when good long-term asthma control has been achieved.

Patients should be asked to report any deterioration in symptoms following initiation of a LABA.

Reference:

• (1) Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Asthma: long-acting b2 agonists. Accessed from: www.mhra.gov.uk on 12/8/08.