Learning About SMART for Asthma

SMART stands for "single maintenance and reliever therapy." It combines two medicines into one inhaler. These medicines work in different ways to help control asthma symptoms. SMART may be recommended if you have moderate to severe asthma.

SMART is used to manage asthma symptoms. Asthma causes the airways that lead to the lungs to swell and get inflamed, making it hard to breathe.

SMART is taken every day to help you control your asthma and prevent flare-ups (when symptoms suddenly get worse). But it can also be used for quick relief if an asthma flare-up does occur.

A SMART inhaler can help prevent serious asthma attacks better than using two separate inhalers. Using one inhaler for both daily control and quick relief can also be less confusing. SMART can also help reduce the amount of corticosteroids you need. This can help lower the risk of side effects.

SMART uses two types of medicine in one inhaler to manage asthma symptoms.

An inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). This helps reduce swelling in the airway. Taking it daily in a SMART inhaler can help reduce asthma flare-ups.

A long-acting beta 2 agonist (LABA). This helps relax the airway muscles, which makes it easier to breathe. It can help relieve asthma symptoms for up to 12 hours. It can also be used for quick relief if you have an asthma flare-up. Formoterol is the only LABA approved for SMART.

All medicines can have side effects. The side effects of SMART can vary depending on the medicines used in the inhaler. But they tend to be similar to traditional inhalers. Symptoms may include:

• An infection in the nose or throat.
• Swelling of the lining of the sinuses.
• A headache.
• A sore throat or mouth pain.
• A fungal infection in the mouth (thrush).
• A fast or irregular heartbeat (palpitations).