title: Therapeutic novelties of inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators in asthma.
abstract: Orally inhaled agents are a key therapeutic class for treatment of asthma. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the most effective anti-inflammatory treatment for asthma thus representing the first-line therapy and bronchodilators complement the effects of ICSs. A significant body of evidence indicates that addition of a β2-agonist to ICS therapy is more effective than increasing the dose of ICS monotherapy. In this paper, pharmacological features of available ICSs and bronchodilators will be reviewed with a focus on fluticasone propionate/formoterol fumarate combination which represents the one of the most powerful ICS acting together with the most rapid active LABA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy. Electronic address: fabioluigimassimo.ricciardolo@unito.it.
authors.forename: Fabio L M
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Ricciardolo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milano, IRCCS Fondazione Cà Granda, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Blasi
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Unit, San Paolo Hospital, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Centanni
authors.affiliation: Unit of Respiratory Clinical Pharmacology, Department of System Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rogliani
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D000068298:Fluticasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D000068298:Fluticasone; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate
keywords: Asthma; Bronchodilator; Inhaled corticosteroid; Long-acting β2 agonist