Salmeterol/fluticasone propionate combination.
Current evidence suggests that addition of the long-acting beta2-agonist salmeterol to an inhaled corticosteroid in patients with persistent asthma symptoms provides greater clinical benefit than doubling the dosage of the inhaled corticosteroid. Fixed combination salmeterol/fluticasone propionate in 3 different fluticasone propionate dosage strengths administered via the Diskus powder inhaler does not result in any untoward interaction that affects the pharmacodynamic or pharmacokinetic profiles of the individual drugs, or their adverse effect profiles - including the influence of the corticosteroid on plasma cortisol levels. Administration of fixed combination salmeterol/ fluticasone propionate to both adults and children with persistent asthma provides greater improvements in lung function than either agent alone, and at least equal effectiveness to the same dosages of the 2 agents given by separate powder inhalers. Preliminary reports indicate that combination therapy has also demonstrated superior efficacy to budesonide (fluticasone propionate dosages were 25% those of budesonide). The most commonly encountered adverse effects in clinical trials with combined salmeterol/fluticasone propionate therapy have been oropharyngeal candidiasis. hoarseness/dysphonia, throat irritation, headache, tachycardia/palpitations, tremor and dizziness (all in < or =5% of patients).
Adis International Limited, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, New Zealand. demail@adis.co.nz
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Jarvis
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000420:Albuterol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019819:Budesonide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000068298:Fluticasone; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate
D000730:Androstadienes; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D019819:Budesonide; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D000068298:Fluticasone; D000420:Albuterol; D006854:Hydrocortisone