Efficacy and safety of fluticasone propionate/salmeterol 250/50mcg Diskus administered once daily.

Author(s): Kerwin EM, Nathan RA, Meltzer EO, Ortega HG, Yancey SW, Schoaf L, Dorinsky PM

Affiliation(s): Clinical Research Institute of Southern Oregon, 3860 Crater Lake Avenue, Suite B, Medford, OR 97504, USA.

Publication date & source: 2008-04, Respir Med., 102(4):495-504. Epub 2008 Feb 21.

Publication type:

BACKGROUND: The twice daily administration of an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and long-acting beta(2)-agonist (LABA) has been shown to be effective in achieving asthma control. The once daily administration of an ICS/LABA may be a treatment option for some patients. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of fluticasone propionate (FP)/salmeterol via a single inhaler (FSC) administered once daily compared with FP once daily, FSC twice daily, or placebo. METHODS: A 12-week, randomized, double-blind multicenter study conducted in 844 patients 12 years of age who were symptomatic while using a short-acting beta(2)-agonist alone. Blinded treatments included: FSC 250/50mcg once daily in the evening (FSC 250/50 QD), FP 250mcg once daily in the evening (FP 250 QD), FSC 100/50mcg twice daily (FSC 100/50mcg BID), or placebo. All treatments were delivered via the Diskus((R)) device. RESULTS: All treatments demonstrated greater improvements in efficacy measures compared with placebo. Overall, the greatest improvements were observed in the patients receiving FSC, either once or twice daily, compared with the FP 250 QD group. The two FSC treatments were similar except that QD dosing did not maintain improvements in lung function for 24h compared with twice daily dosing. All treatments were well tolerated. No suppression of HPA axis, as assessed by 24-h urinary cortisol excretion, was observed in any of the active treatment groups. CONCLUSION: In patients symptomatic on a short-acting beta(2)-agonist alone, FSC 100/50mcg BID was shown to provide better efficacy than a higher strength (FSC 250/50mcg) administered once daily. However, a once daily regimen was effective and may be a valuable treatment option for some patients. Registered at http://ctr.gsk.co.uk/welcome.asp (SAS30022).