Langwerkende β 2-mimetica bij de behandeling van astma bij kinderen

Two long-acting inhaled β ₂-agonists are currently available for the treatment of childhood asthma. Compared to short-acting b ₂-agonists, formoterol and salmeterol have a longer duration of action, which is at least 12 hours for the bronchodilating effect. Although during continuous treatment tolerance will develop, especially for the protecting effects, residual protection remains even during long-term treatment. Formoterol and salmeterol should only be used in combination with inhaled corticosteroids in children with moderate to severe asthma, who do have persisting symptoms despite beclomethason or budesonide 400-800 μg daily or fluticason 250-500 μg daily. For every single patient it should be decided which is more appropriate: the addition of a long-acting β ₂-agonist or increasing the dose of inhaled corticosteroid.