Patient Stories

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• Collette

Collette: Stepping Down Asthma Therapy

Asthma brings on emergency landing

Last year, Collette had a particularly bad asthma exacerbation. "I wound up in the hospital for a few days," Collette recalled. "It was during allergy season, and work had been particularly stressful. I work as a travel agent, so I'm really busy in the spring and summer. Everyone's going on vacation then. After that, my doctor put me on a combination inhaler and said we'd try that for a few months."

A change in the flight plan

After a few months, Collette's doctor said it was time to step down her therapy. "I was scared at first. I hadn't had any more asthma attacks, and I definitely didn't want to. But my doctor explained that there were risks with the combination inhalers, too."

Stepping down but maintaining control

"We decided to try stepping down," Collette said, "and my doctor prescribed QVAR®. I've been on it for a few months now, and my asthma is still under control."

QVAR® is indicated in the maintenance treatment of asthma as prophylactic therapy in patients 5 years of age or older. QVAR® is also indicated for asthma patients who require systemic corticosteroid administration, where adding QVAR® may reduce or eliminate the need for systemic corticosteroids.

Important Safety Information

QVAR® does not replace fast-acting (rescue) inhalers for sudden symptoms.

CAUTION: If you are switching from an oral corticosteroid to QVAR®, follow your doctor's instructions to avoid health risks when you stop using oral corticosteroids (See WARNINGS, Prescribing Information).

Inhaled corticosteroids may cause a reduction in growth rate. The long-term effect on final adult growth is unknown.

In clinical studies, common side effects included headache and pharyngitis.

Do not stop taking QVAR® abruptly without talking to your doctor.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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