From the Guidelines
AirSupra inhaler is not approved for MART therapy in COPD patients, as the provided evidence focuses on COPD management and does not mention AirSupra specifically. The evidence provided discusses the 2023 Canadian Thoracic Society guideline on pharmacotherapy in patients with stable COPD, which recommends the use of long-acting inhaled bronchodilator maintenance therapy in all symptomatic individuals with COPD, including those with mild symptom burden 1. The guideline also recommends single inhaled LAMA/LABA dual therapy for individuals with moderate and severe disease with a low risk of future AECOPD, and single inhaled LAMA/LABA/ICS triple combination therapy for individuals with moderate and severe disease who are at high risk of future AECOPD 1. However, there is no mention of AirSupra inhaler in the provided evidence, and therefore, its approval for MART therapy in COPD patients cannot be confirmed.
Key points to consider in COPD management include:
- The use of long-acting inhaled bronchodilator maintenance therapy in all symptomatic individuals with COPD 1
- The recommendation for single inhaled LAMA/LABA dual therapy for individuals with moderate and severe disease with a low risk of future AECOPD 1
- The importance of proper inhalation technique and the potential benefits of using single-inhaler triple therapy over multiple inhalers 1
- The consideration of environmental impact and global warming potential associated with metered dose inhalers (MDIs) when selecting an inhaler device 1
From the Research
Airsupra Inhaler Approval for MART Therapy
- The Airsupra inhaler, which contains a combination of albuterol and budesonide, has been studied for its efficacy in reducing asthma exacerbations 2, 3, 4.
- According to the studies, the Airsupra inhaler is approved for use as a reliever with or without maintenance therapy, but it is not indicated for maintenance therapy or single maintenance and reliever therapy (MART) 5.
- The Global Initiative for Asthma and the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Coordinating Committee recommend the use of a single inhaler containing an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting bronchodilator for both maintenance and quick relief therapy (SMART or MART) in steps 3 and 4 of asthma management 6.
- However, the Airsupra inhaler, which contains albuterol and budesonide, is not specifically indicated for MART therapy, and its use for this purpose is not supported by the available evidence 2, 5, 3, 4.
Key Findings
- The MANDALA study demonstrated the efficacy of the Airsupra inhaler in reducing severe asthma exacerbations compared to albuterol alone 2, 3, 4.
- The study found that the risk of severe asthma exacerbation was significantly lower with as-needed use of the Airsupra inhaler than with as-needed use of albuterol alone 3.
- However, the study did not specifically evaluate the use of the Airsupra inhaler for MART therapy 2, 3, 4.