SMART: Smart and Simple Asthma Care!
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* SMART means:
..simple ..control & ..rescue!
SMART therapy stands for Single Maintenance and Reliever Therapy. At Asthmaniac, we the words “maintenance” and “controller” mean the same thing. Likewise, “reliever” and “rescue” are interchangeable.
SMART therapy is for patients with moderate to severe asthma who need a combination treatment. This combined treatment consists of an inhaled corticosteroid (controller ) and an inhaled long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA) (bronchodilator). The SMART therapy program simplifies things by having patients to use one inhaler for both! The maintenance dose can be adjusted based on the needs of the individual, but it is typically at least two doses a day (either two at once or one dose twice a day).
What medicines are in SMART therapy?
SMART therapy is a combination of an inhaled corticosteroid and an inhaled LABA. Currently, this combination is available in two medications:
- budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort®)
- mometasone/formoterol (Dulera®)
In asthma guidelines for SMART therapy, the budesonide/formoterol combination is the recommended first treatment for moderate to severe asthma.
How does SMART therapy work?
SMART therapy allows people with asthma to use just one medication to control asthma symptoms. They use this single medication for both control and rescue therapy.
Typical rescue inhalers contain only a bronchodilator. Controller medications often include an anti-inflammatory inhaled corticosteroid. But with SMART therapy, the inhaler has both an anti-inflammatory inhaled corticosteroid and a LABA. This is helpful as it means people are getting daily medicine to keep their airways open. And when they are experiencing symptoms, they are getting extra anti-inflammatories. This helps to reduce airway inflammation.
Who can receive SMART therapy?
Under asthma guidelines, SMART therapy is recommended for people with moderate to severe asthma, including children ages 5 and older. In general, SMART therapy is considered an easier treatment plan to follow. A SMART therapy plan can also be used as an as-needed treatment for mild asthma. Formoterol is a long-acting inhaled medication but it works quickly, similar to quick-relief albuterol. .
What is moderate to severe persistent asthma?
People with moderate asthma have daily symptoms or wake up at night due to symptoms at least once a week.
People with severe asthma have symptoms throughout the day despite following their treatment plan. They also report waking up at night with symptoms, even after taking treatment. Learn more about understanding asthma severity.
How will I know if SMART therapy is right for me or my child?
To determine if SMART therapy is right for you or your child, consider Shared Decision-Making. In Shared Decision-Making, you and I decide the right treatment approach fo you. The best is based on your asthma control, lifestyle and other healthcare needs and preferences. Then you and I work together to develop an Asthma Action Plan so you know what to do for treatment when symptoms occur.
Ready for a SMART plan?
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- Steroids in Asthma: Why We Need Them?
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What is an MDI Spacer and Why Do You Need One?
* A spacer is needed to hold your asthma medicine in a cloud until you can pull it into your lungs with a deep breath.
* If you don’t use a spacer with your asthma medicine, it ends up on tongue and on the walls of your throat where it can’t help your asthma and usually causes a yeast infection.
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