AstraZeneca Inhalation Aerosol Effective for Asthma Patients

The data from the Symbicort study supports the understanding of the product's efficacy and safety in African-American patients, who are more prone to asthma.

AstraZeneca's Symbicort inhalation aerosol has demonstrated safety and efficacy results in African-American patients with moderate-to-severe persistent asthma. Symbicort is a combination asthma medication that contains both an inhaled corticosteroid (budesonide) and a long-acting beta-agonist (formoterol).

The 52-week, randomised and double-blind Phase III study included 742 self-reported African-American patients. It showed that patients in the Symbicort group had fewer exacerbations compared to patients treated with a budesonide pressurised metred-dose inhaler. Treatment with the inhalation aerosol also resulted in improvements in pre-dose forced expiratory volume in one second, pre-dose forced vital capacity and morning peak expiratory flow.