title: Evaluation of salmeterol xinafoate plus fluticasone propionate for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Current clinical guidelines recommend long-acting bronchodilators as the mainstay of the pharmacotherapy of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), in conjunction with long-acting beta-agonists (LABA), are routinely considered at severe and very severe stages of COPD when patients lack adequate response to single-therapy with LABAs. Although the study methodologies evaluating the clinical effectiveness of the combination therapy using salmeterol and fluticasone (SAL/FLU) for patients with COPD have been questioned, a number of studies have suggested that using ICS, in combination with a LABA agent, may improve survival of patients with COPD.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article attempts to review the most current evidence for using SAL/FLU in the management of COPD and summarizes the results of outcome measures reported in randomized controlled trials.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Until new forms of drug combinations are made available, the use of dual-therapy containing a LABA and ICS remain as the most logical and appropriate approach for the treatment of patients suffering from severe and very severe COPD with repeated exacerbations.
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Department of Respiratory Care , MSC 6248, San Antonio TX 78229 , USA restrepor@uthscsa.edu.
authors.forename: Ruben D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Restrepo
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tate
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Coquat
mesh_terms: D000420:Albuterol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000191:economics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000191:economics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000068297:Fluticasone-Salmeterol Drug Combination; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000191:economics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000730:Androstadienes; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000068297:Fluticasone-Salmeterol Drug Combination; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D000420:Albuterol