Treatment of Persistent Asthma With Symbicort® (Budesonide/Formoterol Inhalation Aerosol): An Inhaled Corticosteroid and Long-Acting β2-Adrenergic Agonist in One Pressurized Metered-Dose Inhaler

Objective. Budesonide/formoterol inhalation aerosol (Symbicort® AstraZeneca, Wilmington, Delaware) is an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and long-acting β2-adrenergic agonist (LABA) combination administered twice daily via one hydrofluoroalkane pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) approved in the United States for the long-term maintenance treatment of persistent asthma in patients ≥12 years of age whose asthma cannot be controlled by an ICS alone. The objective was to review efficacy, safety, and pharmacogenetic data on budesonide/formoterol pMDI in the treatment of persistent asthma. Methods. The authors searched PubMed and respiratory meeting databases to identify asthma studies of budesonide/formoterol pMDI. Studies involving traditional and patient-reported outcomes, safety, tolerability, or pharmacogenetics were included. Results. In two 12-week pivotal trials in adolescents and adults, treatment with budesonide/formoterol pMDI 160/4.5 μg × 2 inhalations (320/9 μg) twice daily for moderate to severe...