Inhalers, providing both immediate and long-term relief, are already the standard treatment for mild asthma among individuals over 12 in the UK, US, and other regions. A recent study involving nearly 400 children in New Zealand indicates these inhalers are even more effective for younger kids, nearly halving the number of asthma attacks.

Team members have stated that whether these findings will prompt changes in national and international guidelines remains uncertain. Andy Bush from Imperial College London asserts that the evidence is compelling. “If you’re a child with asthma, I have those combinations,” he remarks.

The traditional treatment for mild asthma involved an inhaler containing salbutamol, which relaxes airway muscles for about 3-4 hours. These “rescue” inhalers were to be used as needed.

If the rescue inhaler was inadequate, patients were provided with a separate inhaler containing steroids that help reduce inflammation caused by asthma. These “preventive” inhalers required regular usage to ensure protective benefits. Bush comments, “Previously, I had to take inhaled steroids twice a day for them to work, but it’s now evident that’s not always necessary.”

Studies involving teenagers and adults have indicated that combination inhalers outperform the previous treatment method, even when used on an as-needed basis. The steroids found in these combination inhalers are budesonide, while the reliever is formoterol, which acts similarly to salbutamol but lasts for 12 hours.

Concerns regarding the use of combination inhalers by children have emerged due to potential growth effects from steroid components; however, the latest research showed no negative impact during the trial period. The study involved 360 children randomly assigned to use either budesonide-fluticasone or steroid fluticasone twice daily, with additional relief administered as required during severe asthma episodes.

In other studies, the use of combination inhalers led to a decrease in overall steroid intake, according to Bush. This is because using the inhalers on an as-needed basis causes the dosage of inhaled steroids to adapt according to symptom severity. Fewer attacks mean fewer individuals need to “step up” to the combination inhaler two times daily or rely on steroid pills.