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Asthma in Pregnancy — RACP Adult Medicine MCQ

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EasyRespiratoryAsthma in PregnancyRACP Adult Medicine

A 30-year-old woman with well-controlled asthma becomes pregnant (8 weeks gestation). She is on budesonide/formoterol as maintenance and reliever. What is the recommended asthma management during pregnancy?

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Correct answer: A — Cease all inhalers as they are teratogenic

Asthma medications (ICS, LABA, SABA, LTRA) are considered safe in pregnancy. Uncontrolled asthma poses far greater risk to mother and foetus (preeclampsia, preterm birth, IUGR, perinatal mortality) than the medications used to treat it. ICS should be continued at the pre-pregnancy dose. Budesonide is the preferred ICS in pregnancy (most safety data). The GINA 2024 principle is: 'it is safer for pregnant women with asthma to be treated with asthma medications than it is for them to have uncontrolled asthma symptoms and exacerbations'.

Reference: GINA – 2024 – Asthma in Pregnancy; eTG – 2025 – Respiratory