Review article

Is the Use of Long Acting Beta Agonists Justified in Asthma Patients?

Neven Tudorić ; KB Dubrava
Nevenka Piskač-Živković ; KB Dubrava
Zinka Matković ; KB Dubrava
Đivo Ljubičić ; KB Dubrava

Abstract

The safety of long acting beta agonists (LABAs) in asthma patients has been certainly one of the most discussed issues in the pharmacotherapy of this disease over the last twenty years. The opinions range from those favouring their full safety to those suggesting their ban. Those opposing their use claim that LABAs may reduce tolerance and efficiency of SABA. This could lead to the loss of asthma control, increased exacerbation rate, and finally, to increased mortality. Multiple, thorough, independent and unbiased analyses of data obtained by trials so far have not confirmed LABA related risks if used concomitantly with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in line with the relevant guidelines. A planned prospective trial, whose aim is to compare the co-administration of LABA and ICS with ICS administered as monotherapy, should give the final answer. Some authorities in this field claim that such a research would be irrational and very expensive due to the requisite sample size. Additionally, they claim that it may not be possible to give a precise answer even after its completion. In any case, the current guidelines, which have been verified on multiple occasions, are valid until the results of this trial become available. The current guidelines allow the administration of LABA in asthma patients in combination with ICS, however, only in those patients whose asthma cannot be controlled by low or moderately high doses of ICS. The use of fixed combinations in the same spray, which would prevent potential risks of LABA used in monotherapy, is therefore recommended.

Keywords

asthma; LABA; adverse reactions; beta adrenergic receptors

Hrčak ID:

81084

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/81084

Publication date:

19.12.2011.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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