Could You Do Well with Less Asthma Medication?

Generally, we hear about asthmatics not being treated with medication, and many studies do suggest that many people with asthma are not well controlled. A recent study, however, suggests that mild asthmatics may be able to reduce the amount of their medication and still stay under good asthma control.

The study, published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that when mild asthmatics had their medicine reduced from a twice a day to a once a day, they did just as well. The medication was changed, however, from twice a day fluticasone to once a day fluticasone-salmeterol combination, or Advair.

Using a medication only once a day may result in more people actually taking their medication as prescribed, as well as the overall reduction in the amount of inhaled steroid that is used, which may reduce side effects.

Want to keep learning? Find out more:

• Is your asthma under good control?
• What to know about asthma if you've recently been diagnosed
• Treatment of asthma