Calling all patients with asthma...
Did you know that the Australian Asthma Management Guidelines have recently changed for people with asthma aged over 12yrs? Do you feel like your asthma is well controlled? Would you like to simplify your asthma management?
The Australia Asthma Management Guidelines now recommend using a single puffer as both a reliever and preventer – that’s right, no more carrying around two different puffers! The combined puffer (budesonide + formoterol e.g. Symbicort or Rilast) can provide both maintenance treatment (ie, the daily prevention medication), and also can be used as a reliever (what most people currently use Ventolin for). This means a single puffer can be used both every day to prevent asthma exacerbations, but also during acute episodes of wheeze, making management much simpler!
Combined puffers contain both a steroid, which helps to decrease overall airway inflammation and prevent asthma flare-ups, and also a reliever medication that can be used when wheeze hits, to quickly open the airways. Clinical trials have shown that this streamlined approach significantly lowers the risk of severe asthma exacerbations, meaning overall asthma control is much better. And the bonus is you only have to keep track of one puffer!
Have questions or would like to discuss further – make an appointment with your GP and we can get started on improving your asthma management, and simplifying your puffer regimen!
