Asthma Management Recommendations

Controller Medications

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology recommends ICS-formoterol in a single inhaler as both daily controller and reliever therapy for moderate to severe persistent asthma 1
The American Academy of Family Physicians suggests that inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the first-line controller therapy for persistent asthma, with options including fluticasone propionate, budesonide, mometasone, and beclomethasone 4
The American Thoracic Society recommends that long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs) should never be used as monotherapy for asthma control and should always be used in combination with ICS 4

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology recommends ICS-formoterol as a reliever medication for patients on ICS-formoterol maintenance therapy, which can reduce exacerbation risk compared to using separate SABA reliever 1, 3
The American Academy of Family Physicians suggests that short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs) are rapid-acting bronchodilators for quick symptom relief, with examples including albuterol and levalbuterol 4

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology strongly recommends ICS-formoterol in a single inhaler used as both daily controller and reliever therapy, which is superior to higher-dose ICS with SABA for quick-relief in moderate to severe persistent asthma 1
The American Thoracic Society recommends that if LABA is not used, adding a LAMA (tiotropium) to ICS is recommended for uncontrolled persistent asthma 1
The American Academy of Family Physicians suggests that frequent use of rescue medication (>2 days/week) indicates inadequate control and should prompt reassessment of controller therapy 4