Fluticasone propionate/salmeterol hydrofluoroalkane via metered-dose inhaler with integrated dose counter: Performance and patient satisfaction.
Currently, patients have to keep track of doses to determine when to replace their metered-dose inhalers (MDIs). This study evaluated the performance and patient satisfaction of a novel MDI with an integrated dose counter. In an open-label study at 38 outpatient centres, patients > or =12 years old with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) received two actuations of fluticasone propionate/salmeterol 125/25 microg (115/21 microg ex-actuator) hydrofluoroalkane (ADVAIR) HFA) via MDI with counter twice a day until all 120 actuations were completed. Concordance between counter and diary recordings in patients who reported use of > or =90% of labelled actuations (completer population, n = 228) was high (discrepancy rate of 0.94%) and the incidence of device firing without changes in counter readings was low (0.13%). Mean expected actuations based on canister weights (114) were slightly lower than mean counter (121) and diary reported actuations (120). Upon study completion, 95% of patients were satisfied with the dose counter and 92% agreed it would help prevent them from running out of medication. Safety assessments (intent-to-treat population, n = 237) indicated that the drug was well tolerated. This integrated MDI counter may help patients maintain better disease control by enabling them to accurately track their medication supply.
Sheth
K
K
Lafayette Allergy and Asthma Clinic, Lafayette, IN 47905, USA. ksheth@unityhc.com
Wasserman
R L
RL
Lincourt
W R
WR
Locantore
N W
NW
Carranza-Rosenzweig
J
J
Crim
C
C
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D000068298:Fluticasone; D006801:Humans; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated; D008297:Male; D036501:Metered Dose Inhalers; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011208:Powders; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D005466:Fluorocarbons
D000420:Albuterol; D000730:Androstadienes; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D000068298:Fluticasone; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated; D011208:Powders; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; C094049:apaflurane; D005466:Fluorocarbons