Top dose of Symbicort increased
The maximum adult dose of Symbicort Turbohaler (budesonide and formoterol) for asthma has been increased. Patients using 100/6 and 200/6 inhalers will now be able to adjust their dose according to symptoms up to a maximum of four inhalations twice daily.
Anna Murphy, consultant respiratory pharmacist at Glenfield Hospital,
Leicester, told The Journal that a more flexible approach to asthma management
has been shown to have positive outcomes.
She referred to a study, published in The Lancet last year, which showed
that the dose of inhaled corticosteroid could be adjusted according to
the level of inflammation in the airways, measured by eosinophil counts
in patient’s sputum. This improved symptom control and reduced
the overall steroid load. Ms Murphy said: “Patients can be educated
to adjust their medication according to variation in asthma using physician-
or nurse-guided self management plans.”
Another study, presented in September at the International Congress for
Allergology and Clinical Immunology, held in Vancouver, had showed a
reduction in exacerbation rate for Symbicort adjustable dosing compared
with Symbicort or Seretide fixed dosing.
She noted that the extended dosing range is potentially more cost effective since
the dose can be stepped up or stepped down by changing the number of inhalations,
but the patient can keep the same inhaler.
The recommended dose for adolescents (12–17 years) for Symbicort Turbohaler
100/6 and 200/6 is still one to two inhalations twice daily. For Symbicort Turbohaler
400/12 the maximum adult dose is now two inhalations twice daily, and the adolescent
dose remains at one inhalation twice daily. |
