pubmed-article:9919735 | pubmed:abstractText | Long acting beta agonists (LABAs) such as salmeterol and eformoterol provide 12 hour bronchodilatation, giving continuous control of asthma symptoms particularly at night. More recent evidence also suggests a role as 'steroid-sparing' agents, allowing control of asthma at lower doses of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Providing a sufficient dose of inhaled steroid (in adults around 800 micrograms of belcomethasone or budesonide or 400 micrograms of fluticasone) is used in conjunction with LABAs, there is no evidence of any increase in asthma exacerbation. Cost is the major impediment to the widespread application of these useful agents. | lld:pubmed |