Anti-Inflammatory Reliever South Africa
This is a Phase 3 single-centre open label randomised controlled trial with two equal sized groups to assess the efficacy of budesonide/formoterol 80/4.5 (6-11 years) and 160/4.5 (12-18 years) compared to the standard of care in reducing asthma exacerbations over 52 weeks. Children and adolescents with a diagnosis of asthma or newly diagnosed with asthma will be screened for eligibility for enrolment. Those who had an asthma exacerbation in the previous year will be randomised 1:1, to either receive…
Conditions studied
Asthma
About this study
This is a Phase 3 single-centre open label randomised controlled trial with two equal sized groups to assess the efficacy of budesonide/formoterol 80/4.5 (6-11 years) and 160/4.5 (12-18 years) compared to the standard of care in reducing asthma exacerbations over 52 weeks. Children and adolescents with a diagnosis of asthma or newly diagnosed with asthma will be screened for eligibility for enrolment. Those who had an asthma exacerbation in the previous year will be randomised 1:1, to either receive budesonide/formoterol inhaler for both symptom relief and for chronic anti- inflammatory maintenance therapy or the standard of care which is separate inhalers for symptom relief (short acting bronchodilator salbutamol) and chronic maintenance therapy with inhaled corticosteroids (beclomethasone or budesonide) and/or long-acting beta agonists or montelukast as determined by treating physicians. All asthma exacerbations and clinic/hospital admissions will be recorded for the duration of the 52-week follow-up. Participants will be followed up at 13, 26, 39 and 52 weeks. The 13- and 39-week visit will be telephonic visits to capture the primary end-point i.e. asthma exacerbations. Adverse events and medication changes data will also be collected. An independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) will be convened for this study with expertise in asthma and asthma clinical trials. The purpose of the DSMB will be to monitor the study for safety and operational futility with pre-defined stopping criteria. In addition, a Trial Steering Committee (TSC) will also provide overall supervision of the trial and ensure the trial is delivered in accordance with ICH-GCP. The TSC has been established with an independent Chair and include additional independent members including an observer early career researcher. Representatives of the Trial Funder (NIHR) and Sponsor (AHRI) will be invited to all TSC meetings.
Interventions
- Drug: Budesonide/formoterol — The Investigational Medicinal Product (IMP) consists of a combination of Budesonide (corticosteroid) and Formoterol Furamate (fast-acting β2 agonist) dihydrate. The IMP is currently available and registered in dry powder form turbuhaler (Symbicort) and a pressurised metered dose inhaler (Vannair). The recommended doses are pMDI/DPI 80/4.5 1-2 puffs twice daily OR 1 puff as needed (a maximum daily dose of 8 puffs) for children 6-11 years of age and 160/4.5 1-2 inhalations twice daily or 1 puff as needed (a maximum daily dose of 12 puffs) for adolescents 12-18 years.
- Drug: standard of care — Any therapy that is prescribed as per asthma guidelines i.e. beclomethasone, budesonide and salbutamol, montelukast etc
Primary outcomes
- Number of exacerbations in 52 weeks ( End of study) (52 weeks)
Eligibility information
Study locations
- Africa Research Health Institute Clinical Trial Unit, Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal 3935 South Africa
- Africa Research Health Institute Clinical Trial Unit, Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal 3965 South Africa
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-09-27.