title: Fluticasone propionate/formoterol: a fixed-combination therapy with flexible dosage.
abstract: International guidelines describe asthma control as the main outcome of asthma management. Prevention of symptoms, improved quality of life, and reduction of exacerbations are the main components, consequently decreasing health care costs. However, many of these objectives remain unmet in real life: several surveys show that a large proportion of asthmatic patients are not well controlled despite the efficacy of current available treatment. Several randomized controlled clinical trials indicate that combining inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β2-agonists, by means of a single inhaler, greatly improves the management of the disease. The results of 9 multicenter phase III clinical studies demonstrate that the fixed combination of fluticasone propionate/formoterol in a single inhaler is effective in terms of lung function and symptom control. These studies highlight the dose flexibility, safety and tolerability of this new inhaled combination. These characteristics meet the recommendations of international guidelines, and the preferences of respiratory physicians who identified these aspects as critical components of a successful asthma therapy. Combination of fluticasone propionate/formoterol in a single inhaler provides potent anti-inflammatory activity of fluticasone propionate and rapid onset of action of the β2-agonist formoterol making this association a viable treatment option both in terms of effectiveness and compliance.
authors: Head Respiratory Medicine and Research Centre on Asthma and COPD, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Papi
authors: Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, IRCCS Fondazione Cà Granda, Milano, Italy. Electronic address: francesco.blasi@unimi.it.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Blasi
authors: Allergy and Respiratory Disease Clinic, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.
authors: G W
authors: GW
authors: Canonica
authors: Unit of Respiratory Clinical Pharmacology, Department of System Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Cazzola
authors: Respiratory Unit, San Paolo Hospital, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Centanni
authors: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
authors: M P
authors: MP
authors: Foschino Barbaro
authors: Respiratory Pathophysiology, Cardiothoracic Dept., University Hospital, Siena, Italy.
authors: A S
authors: AS
authors: Melani
authors: Respiratory Pathophysiology and Rehabilitation Unit, Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Department, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Paggiaro
authors: Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Ricciardolo
authors: Pulmonary Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Rossi
authors: Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmunology, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Scichilone
mesh_terms: D000730:Androstadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000068298:Fluticasone; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate; D006801:Humans; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D010316:Particle Size; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000730:Androstadienes; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004983:Ethanolamines; D000068298:Fluticasone; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate
keywords: Asthma control; Asthma exacerbations; Fixed-combination therapy; Fluticasone propionate/formoterol; Single-aerosol inhaler