AstraZeneca asthma med Airsupra gains FDA approval
PixelsEffect/E+ via Getty Images         


The US FDA has approved AstraZeneca's (NASDAQ:AZN) medication Airsupra (albuterol/budesonide) for as-needed or prevention of bronchoconstriction in asthma patients.
Although the drug contains two long-established ingredients for asthma, albuterol, a short-acting beta2-agonist (SABA), and budesonide, an anti-inflammatory inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), the pharma said that Airsupra is a "first-in-class, pressurized metered-dose inhaler."
Approval was based on the results from two phase 3 trials that showed Airsupra reduced the risk of severe exacerbations compared to albuterolÂ and improved lung function compared to the individual components albuterol and budesonide.