Asthma Treatment for Patients Aged 12 Years and Older

Clinical Scenario

This protocol is specifically designed for adolescents and adults with confirmed asthma who are 12 years of age or older. Treatment recommendations for this population are distinct from those for younger children — the evidence base, preferred agents, and clinical targets differ meaningfully by age group.

There are separate, age-specific treatment recommendations for adults and adolescents versus children aged 6–11 years. The approach described here applies exclusively to patients aged 12 and above.

Treatment Approach — Partial Overview

First-line management in this age group centres on an inhaled corticosteroid-based strategy — a specific inhaled combination is among the preferred options for early symptom relief, used in a way that may differ from traditional daily maintenance regimens.

Which combination, which treatment track suits the clinical situation, and when to step up — these details are in the full structured protocol.

Treatment Goals

No troublesome asthma symptoms during the day or at night
No severe asthma exacerbations
Normal or near-normal lung function
Ability to lead an active life, including exercise

Instant Access to Structured Evidence-Based Regimens

References

There are different treatment recommendations for adults/adolescents (page 23) and children aged 6–11 years (page 29).
Steps 1–2: The recommended treatment is low-dose ICS-formoterol taken whenever needed to relieve asthma symptoms.
In Step 1, the patient uses SABA when symptoms occur and takes a low dose of ICS at the same time.
In Steps 2–5, the patient takes maintenance ICS-containing medication every day, plus SABA as needed to relieve symptoms.
'Well-controlled asthma' means that the person does not have severe asthma exacerbations, they do not have troublesome asthma symptoms during the day or night, they have normal lung function or almost normal lung function, and they are able to lead active lives, including exercise.

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