What is the first-line treatment for asthma?

Inhaled corticosteroids are recognized as the first-line treatment for asthma, particularly for patients with persistent asthma. This is due to their effectiveness in reducing inflammation in the airways, which is a major contributor to asthma symptoms. By addressing the underlying inflammation, inhaled corticosteroids can lead to significant long-term control of asthma symptoms, decrease the frequency of exacerbations, and improve overall lung function.

Inhaled corticosteroids are preferred over other treatment options because they have a favorable safety profile and can be taken at lower doses compared to systemic corticosteroids, which carry a higher risk of side effects. This is particularly important in managing asthma long-term, as the goal is to maintain control with the least amount of risk to the patient.

While short-acting beta-agonists are effective for quick relief of acute asthma symptoms, they do not address the underlying inflammation and are therefore not suitable as a first-line treatment. Long-acting beta-agonists can be beneficial as add-on therapy for patients whose asthma is not adequately controlled with inhaled corticosteroids alone, but they should never be used as monotherapy due to the risk of severe exacerbations. Oral corticosteroids are typically reserved for severe asthma exacerbations or cases that are not responsive to inhaled treatments