Australian asthma guidelines now recommend low-dose budesonide–formoterol as an anti-inflammatory reliever (AIR) for adolescents and adults (12+ years), replacing SABA-only treatment.

This shift recognises that asthma is an inflammatory condition, even in mild cases. AIR therapy combines fast symptom relief with anti-inflammatory treatment, helping address both immediate symptoms and underlying disease.

Evidence shows AIR significantly reduces the risk of severe exacerbations, hospitalisations and reliever overuse, while aligning with how patients actually use their inhalers.

AIR can be prescribed:

  • As-needed only (AIR-only) for mild asthma
  • As maintenance and reliever therapy (MART) for patients requiring daily preventer treatment

For health professionals, this represents an important opportunity to transition patients away from SABA-only use, improve adherence, and support better long-term outcomes.

View the Australian Asthma Handbook on the National Asthma Council’s new digital platform: https://www.asthmahandbook.org.au/

Download Sector-Endorsed Materials Introducing AIR to Patients

Digital Resources

Download Here

Contains:

  • TV Screen Display (landscape)
  • Social Media video/animation (Square/FB)
  • Social Media Static Tiles (4 tiles)
  • Mobile video (portrait – social media reels/stories)
  • A5 PDF Print Handout (colour for print)
  • Additional: Spacer use TV Screen Display (landscape)

Order Print Resources

Click here to go to the resources portal and select the below resources

  • Introducing AIR therapy – A2 Poster (Print)
  • Introducing AIR therapy – A5 TearPad – (AIR front, Spacer Use on Back)

Coming soon:  AIR/MART Asthma Action Plans, updated Asthma Flip Chart

World Asthma Day: The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) theme for World Asthma Day 2026 is: “Access to anti-inflammatory inhalers for everyone with asthma – still an urgent need”.

Please join us on May 5, 2026 to promote this important message for our local communities and use these resources.

Got ideas?

Get in touch with suggestions and other feedback so we can support you to empower your patients towards better asthma management at [email protected]

Health Professional Hub
Refer to Asthma Australia