Table 2 Asthma treatments and their use

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Standard symbols

Treatment	Examples	Use
Relievers	Inhaled short-acting ß₂-agonist (bronchodilators)	As needed to relieve intermittent asthma symptoms; not to exceed 3 times/week
Controllers	Inhaled or oral glucocorticosteroid (e.g., (beclomethasone diproprionate budesonide, fluticasone propionate)	Daily; lowest dosage necessary to achieve control of symptoms
Adjunct therapy	Leukotriene-receptor agonists	May be used as alternative to higher does of inhaled glucocorticosteroids or for those who are intolerant to glucocorticosteroids
	Anti-allergic, non-steroidal agents (e.g., cromoglycate, nedocromil)	May be used in children as alternative to low-dose inhaled glucocorticosteroids
	Long-acting ß₂-agonists (e.g., salmetrol, formoterol, theophylline, iprotropium)	In addition to inhaled glucocorticosteroids, may be used as alternative to higher doses to achieve control
Data source: Canadian Asthma Consensus Report, 1999.⁸
Table source: Statistics Canada, 2008, "Changes in the prevalence of asthma among Canadian children", Health Reports, Vol. 19 No. 2, catalogue number 82-003-XWE.