The role of fluticasone propionate/salmeterol combination therapy in preventing exacerbations of COPD.

Abstract

Exacerbations contribute significantly to the morbidity of COPD, leading to an accelerated decline in lung function, reduced functional status, reduced health status and quality of life, poorer prognosis and increased mortality. Prevention of exacerbations is thus an important goal of COPD management. In patients with COPD, treatment with a combination of the inhaled corticosteroid fluticasone propionate (250 microg) and the long-acting beta(2)-agonist salmeterol (50 microg) in a single inhaler (250/50 microg) is an effective therapy option that has been shown to reduce the frequency of exacerbations, to improve lung function, dyspnea and health status, and to be relatively cost-effective as a COPD maintenance therapy. Importantly, results of various studies suggest that fluticasone propionate and salmeterol have synergistic effects when administered together that improve their efficacy in controlling symptoms and reducing exacerbations. The present non-systematic review summarizes the role of fluticasone propionate/salmeterol combination therapy in the prevention of exacerbations of COPD and its related effects on lung function, survival, health status, and healthcare costs.

• Authors: Barbara P Yawn, Ibrahim Raphiou, Judith S Hurley, Anand A Dalal
• Journal: International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis) Vol. 5 Pg. 165-78 (Jun 03 2010) ISSN: 1178-2005 [Electronic] New Zealand
• PMID: 20631816 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review, Systematic Review)

Chemical References

• Androstadienes
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Bronchodilator Agents
• Drug Combinations
• Fluticasone-Salmeterol Drug Combination
• Albuterol

Topics

• Albuterol (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Androstadienes (administration & dosage, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (administration & dosage, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Bronchodilator Agents (administration & dosage, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Cost-Benefit Analysis
• Drug Combinations
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Fluticasone-Salmeterol Drug Combination
• Humans
• Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Treatment Outcome