There are several treatment options available for patients who have mild persistent asthma. After being shown a typical case study and three possible treatment options, three respiratory specialists each selected a different option. The options were: using a combination beclometasone/albuterol inhaler on an as-needed basis; daily treatment with an oral leukotriene receptor antagonist together with asneeded use of a short-acting beta2-agonist (SABA) inhaler; and using a combination inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting beta2-agonist inhaler once-daily together with as-needed SABA. The evidence for each option is reviewed in the light of recent research.