Newly Released Data on Onset of Effect and Patient Perception With SYMBICORT in Adults With Asthma

WILMINGTON, Del., Sept. 10  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Newly released results from two previously published studies demonstrated patients receiving the maintenance combination asthma therapy SYMBICORT(R) (budesonide/formoterol fumarate dihydrate) Inhalation Aerosol achieved bronchodilation, or opening of the airways, within 15 minutes(1) and reported feeling their medication begin to work right away.(1) The studies evaluated onset of bronchodilation and patient perception of onset of effect(1) of SYMBICORT compared with placebo and its individual components, budesonide pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) and formoterol dry powder inhaler (DPI), in patients with asthma.(1) These data, which were published today in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, also showed patients were more satisfied with how quickly they felt their medication working compared with patients taking placebo.(1) SYMBICORT is a combination therapy indicated for the long-term maintenance treatment of asthma in patients 12 years of age and older.(2) SYMBICORT does not replace fast-acting inhalers and should not be used to treat acute symptoms of asthma.(2)

"The data showed that patients receiving SYMBICORT reported they could feel their medication begin to work right away and were satisfied by how quickly their medication began to work,"(1) said lead investigator Harold Kaiser, Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School.

Results of both studies (Study I and Study II) showed that more patients taking SYMBICORT achieved onset of clinically significant bronchodilation within 15 minutes postdose at randomization (median time, 13 minutes), compared with budesonide pMDI and placebo (P