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

SummaryBackgroundThe twice daily administration of an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and long-acting beta2-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.ObjectiveTo 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.MethodsA 12-week, randomized, double-blind multicenter study conducted in 844 patients ⩾12 years of age who were symptomatic while using a short-acting beta2-agonist alone. Blinded treatments included: FSC 250/50 mcg once daily in the evening (FSC 250/50 QD), FP 250 mcg once daily in the evening (FP 250 QD), FSC 100/50 mcg twice daily (FSC 100/50 mcg BID), or placebo. All treatments were delivered via the Diskus® device.ResultsAll 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 24 h 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.ConclusionIn patients symptomatic on a short-acting beta2-agonist alone, FSC 100/50 mcg BID was shown to provide better efficacy than a higher strength (FSC 250/50 mcg) 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)