A dose-ranging study of fluticasone propionate administered once daily via multidose powder inhaler to patients with moderate asthma.
OBJECTIVE
This dose-ranging study evaluated the clinical efficacy and safety of inhaled fluticasone propionate administered once daily via a multidose powder inhaler in patients with moderate asthma (FEV(1), 45 to 75% predicted).


METHODS
In this multicenter trial, 330 patients (> or = 12 years old) previously receiving inhaled corticosteroids or beta(2)-agonists alone were randomized in a double-blind manner to receive fluticasone propionate at 100, 200, or 500 microg once daily or matching placebo for 12 weeks.


RESULTS
Once-daily treatment with fluticasone propionate resulted in an improvement in efficacy variables, such as FEV(1), morning and evening peak expiratory flow (PEF), asthma symptom scores, nighttime awakenings, albuterol use, and duration of study participation. A dose-related trend was observed for improvements in morning and evening PEF and albuterol use. Statistical significance for pairwise comparisons was achieved for 200 microg and 500 microg fluticasone propionate vs placebo for all efficacy variables, and for 100 microg fluticasone propionate vs placebo for morning and evening PEF at most or all time points. Drug-related adverse events were few (< or = 5%) and mostly related to the topical effects of inhaled corticosteroids. No dose-response effect or clinically relevant differences were observed in morning plasma cortisol concentrations or after cosyntropin stimulation.


CONCLUSIONS
Once-daily treatment with fluticasone propionate was well tolerated and demonstrated some dose-related trends in improvements in lung function and asthma control in patients with moderate asthma.
Nathan
R A
RA
Asthma and Allergy Associates, Colorado Springs, CO 80907, USA.
Li
J T
JT
Finn
A
A
Jones
R
R
Payne
J E
JE
Wolford
J P
JP
Harding
S M
SM
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D000068298:Fluticasone; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D011208:Powders; D012449:Safety; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000730:Androstadienes; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D011208:Powders; D000068298:Fluticasone; D000420:Albuterol