Our Comment:
Presently there is no clear answer to the question of whether continuous use of beta-sympathomimetic agents is beneficial or not in the long run. It is necessary for this ambiguity to be solved especially in view of the availability of new, highly efficient, and long acting beta-sympathomimetic agents. For the time being it is certainly justified to prescribe these drugs according to need (and not continuously). Many specialists nowadays give first priority to the (relatively expensive) inhaled corticosteroids.