Combining Albuterol and Budesonide to Prevent Asthma Exacerbation
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Reviewed & Translated by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on July 28th, 2025
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Short-acting β2-agonist, such as albuterol. is frequently used to prevent and treat asthma exacerbation. However, its lack of immunomodulation property limits its effectiveness. Therefore, combining albuterol and an inhaled glucocorticoids like budesonide increases the efficacy beyond monotherapy. A study funded by AstraZeneca was conducted to analyze the combination of albuterol and budesonide to prevent exacerbation in mild asthma.
The phase 3 clinical trial enrolled 2421 participants with an average age of 42 years old who had been diagnosed with asthma. These patients have been treated with short-acting β2-agonist by itself or with low-dose inhaled glucocorticoid or leukotriene-receptor antagonist. 10% of the participants had experienced at least one episode of exacerbation within the past 12 months. Additionally, one third of the cohort was affected with seasonal conjunctivitis, 15% with eczema and sinusitis.
The participants were randomly assigned to be treated with either albuterol by itself or with budesonide. Albuterol was given at a dose of 180 microgram and budesonide was given at a dose of 160 microgram. The researchers found that the combination therapy of albuterol and budesonide was more effective at preventing exacerbation by reducing the risk by 53%. Additionally, the combination therapy helped reduce the need for systemic glucocorticoid. This finding is consistent with previously reported study that also investigated the exacerbation prevention effect of inhaled glucocorticoid and formoterol.
The phase 3 clinical trial enrolled 2421 participants with an average age of 42 years old who had been diagnosed with asthma. These patients have been treated with short-acting β2-agonist by itself or with low-dose inhaled glucocorticoid or leukotriene-receptor antagonist. 10% of the participants had experienced at least one episode of exacerbation within the past 12 months. Additionally, one third of the cohort was affected with seasonal conjunctivitis, 15% with eczema and sinusitis.
The participants were randomly assigned to be treated with either albuterol by itself or with budesonide. Albuterol was given at a dose of 180 microgram and budesonide was given at a dose of 160 microgram. The researchers found that the combination therapy of albuterol and budesonide was more effective at preventing exacerbation by reducing the risk by 53%. Additionally, the combination therapy helped reduce the need for systemic glucocorticoid. This finding is consistent with previously reported study that also investigated the exacerbation prevention effect of inhaled glucocorticoid and formoterol.