A patient diagnosed with bronchial asthma who is being treated with low-dose inhaled steroids (200 micrograms of budesonide every 12 hours) and rescue medication (salbutamol on demand) comes for periodic clinical monitoring. The patient reports that in the last 3 months he has had no exacerbations and that he uses salbutamol once a day. He only has dyspnea when climbing stairs and some nights he sleeps irregularly due to coughing. Which of the following therapeutic options should be considered as the treatment of choice?
Asthma treatment algorithm. We rule out continuing with the same treatment since the patient is symptomatic.
Increase the dose of inhaled corticosteroids to 800 micrograms/day.
Add tiotropium.
Maintain the same pharmacological regimen.
Switch to ocmbined therapy with low-dose inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta2-adrenergics.
Add leukotrienes.
Asthma treatment algorithm. We rule out continuing with the same treatment since the patient is symptomatic.