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ContextLong-acting β2-agonists are prescribed for patients with persistent asthma and are sometimes used without inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs). No evidence exists, however, to support their use as monotherapy in adults with persistent asthma.ObjectiveTo examine the effectiveness of salmeterol xinafoate, a long-acting β2-agonist, as replacement therapy in patients whose asthma is well controlled by low-dose triamcinolone acetonide, an ICS.Design and SettingA 28-week, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel group trial conducted at 6 National Institutes of Health–sponsored, university-based ambulatory care centers from February 1997 to January 1999.ParticipantsOne hundred sixty-four patients aged 12 through 65 years with persistent asthma that was well controlled during a 6-week run-in period of treatment with inhaled triamcinolone (400 µg twice per day).InterventionsPatients were randomly …