Updated Australian Asthma Handbook released
The National Asthma Council Australia recently released the updated Australian Asthma Handbook, version 1.1, the national guidelines for asthma management in primary care.
A significant change to the Handbook is the addition of evidence-based advice regarding the role and use of the newly available combination therapy, fluticasone furoate/vilanterol (Breo Ellipta), emphasising that the medication is a treatment option only for the few adults whose asthma remains inadequately controlled on low-dose combination therapy.
Additional highlights of the updated Handbook include: a detailed rationale for long-term use of low-dose inhaled corticosteroids in adults highlighting aims of treatment and risks of cessation; clarification of stepped management approaches for stepping up, stepping down and stepping off preventers in adults, adolescents and children; and modification of acute management protocols to accommodate a wider range of clinical settings and treatment scenarios.
The updated Handbook, including a full list of amendments can be accessed by AMA members via the GP Desktop Practice Support Toolkit.
