There are more than two million Australians suffering from asthma. Since 2000 many people living with asthma have experienced a change in the way their asthma is managed. Long-Acting ß2-Agonists (LABA), combined with traditional inhaled corticosteroids are resulting in effective management of asthma symptoms with lower quantities of medication.

Recent advances in combination therapy medication are changing the way some of these modern medications are used. This program outlines the best practice use of asthma combination therapies, including the appropriate selection of medications and different management regimens, in the context of latest research. Discussion case studies reinforce learning outcomes in a clinical setting.

After viewing this program participants will be able to:

• Improve their ability to identify and assess people with asthma who may benefit from combination medication.
• Understand the indications and treatment regimens of the different combination medications.
• Identify appropriate review periods, manage medication regimes and adjust where required for asthma control.
• Enhance their ability to educate patients about combination medication dosage, titration and side effects.

- Chair: Dr Norman Swan, Presenter of the Health Report on ABC Radio National
- Associate Professor Matthew Peters, Respiratory Physician, Concord Clinical School, University of Sydney
- Dr Clive Tucker, General Practitioner, Purga, QLD
- Mr Stephen Hughes, Community Pharmacist, Sydney
- Ms Judi Wicking, Asthma Educator, Melbourne, and Asthma Education Program Project Officer, National Asthma Council Australia
Click here for more details about the presenters.

52 minutes.

This live program was first broadcast on the Foundation's satellite network on Tuesday 20 May 2008.

This program is also available on DVD and video and to view via archived webstreaming or podcast (MP3 audio download).

This program is accredited or endorsed for CPD/CPE by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, the Royal College of Nursing Australia and the Australian Physiotherapy Association.

Visit our resources page for more asthma and combination therapy resources.

Sponsored by the National Asthma Council Australia, with funding from an unrestricted educational grant from AstraZeneca.

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