Asthma medication effectiveness varies according to drug type, active ingredient
A real-world study found that there are a wide variety of asthma medications in clinical practice, although most appear to have comparative effects on asthma exacerbations.
Using claims data from 254,951 individuals with asthma, of which 42.2% experienced asthma exacerbation during the study period, researchers examined the effectiveness of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs), ICS-long-acting β 2-agonist (LABAs), long-acting muscarine antagonists (LAMAs), leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs), and xanthines. All treatments were found to significantly reduced the rate of first and second exacerbation of asthma.
The clinical effectiveness of each medication varied according to its active ingredient. Clinical effectiveness was found to be significant for all active ingredients.
When ICS-LABA and LTRA was used as a combined treatment, effectiveness varied, but all combination treatment options evaluated were effective in preventing asthma exacerbations. There was consistent effectiveness with the long-term use of ICS-LABA, LTRA, and xanthines.
Reference
Park HJ, Jeon S, Lee HS, et al. A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Asthma Medications on Asthma Exacerbations in Real World National Cohort. J Asthma Allergy. 2022;15:1155-1165. doi: 10.2147/JAA.S379394. PMID: 36042712; PMCID: PMC9420439.
