Lancet

ERS 2025: Budesonide-formoterol combo cuts asthma attacks in children

October 6, 2025

Combined budesonide–formoterol is a superior reliever therapy to albuterol (short-acting beta-2 agonist [SABA] monotherapy) for preventing asthma attacks in children with mild asthma, according to findings presented at the European Respiratory Society meeting.

Study details: The open-label, multicenter, randomized CARE study evaluated budesonide–formoterol vs. SABA as a reliever therapy in 360 children aged 5 to 15 years with mild asthma over one year. Participants were randomized to receive either budesonide-formoterol or SABA as needed for symptom relief. Primary outcome: annualized rate of asthma attacks.

Results: Children using budesonide–formoterol experienced significantly fewer asthma attacks (0.23 vs 0.41 per participant/year; relative rate [RR], 0.55; P=0.012), equating to 18 fewer attacks per 100 children annually. Safety profiles were comparable between groups, with no significant differences in growth, lung function, or asthma control. The secondary endpoint (severe asthma attacks) favored the combination but the difference wasn't statistically significance (RR, 0.60; 95% confidence interval, 0.32-1.14).

Source:

Hatter L, et al; CARE study team. (2025, September 28). Lancet. Budesonide-formoterol versus salbutamol as reliever therapy in children with mild asthma (CARE): a 52-week, open-label, multicentre, superiority, randomised controlled trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41033330/