Asthma Severity

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NIH Guidelines

The NIH guidelines were updated in 2007 with several selected key changes. Most notably:

  • Approach to asthma management should be individualized based on the following factors:
    • Variability of response
    • Comorbidities
    • Spectrum of triggers
    • Patient goals
  • Asthma treatment is no longer based on classification of severity alone; rather, treatment is adjusted over time based on levels of asthma control.
  • The goals of therapy have been redefined to better reduce current impairment as well as future risks.
  • A stepwise approach differentiates treatment plans by age groups and asthma severity, then recommends monitoring at key intervals to determine the appropriate maintenance plan.

Asthma Therapy Assessment Questionnaire (ATAQ)

The NIH guidelines
recommend scientifically
validated self-assessment
tools such as ATAQ to help
monitor asthma control.

Visit asthmacontrolcheck.com.

SINGULAIR is indicated for prophylaxis and chronic treatment of asthma in patients aged 12 months and older and for prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in patients aged 15 years and older.

For prevention of EIB, a single dose of SINGULAIR should be taken at least 2 hours before exercise. An additional dose of SINGULAIR should not be taken within 24 hours of a previous dose.

Patients already taking 1 tablet daily for another indication should not take an additional dose to prevent EIB.

SELECTED SAFETY INFORMATION

  • SINGULAIR should not be used as rescue medication to treat acute asthma episodes. Patients should be advised to have appropriate rescue medication available.
  • Neuropsychiatric events have been reported in patients taking SINGULAIR. These events included agitation, aggressive behavior or hostility, anxiousness, depression, dream abnormalities, hallucinations, insomnia, irritability, restlessness, somnambulism, suicidal thinking and behavior (including suicide), and tremor. The clinical details of some postmarketing reports appear consistent with a drug-induced effect. Patients should be advised to report any neuropsychiatric events.
  • Use of SINGULAIR may not eliminate the need for inhaled or systemic corticosteroids. Patients should not decrease the dose or stop taking any other antiasthma medications unless instructed by a physician.
  • Safety and effectiveness of SINGULAIR in patients younger than 12 months with asthma have not been established.

Before prescribing SINGULAIR, please read the Prescribing Information.

See all references.

20951836(5)-02/10-SNG

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