Methods for Diagnostic & Therapeutic Studies | Asthma & Allergic Rhinitis | Respiratory Pharmacology
Do ICS/LABA fixed combinations provide superior asthma control compared to separate inhalers?
Peter J Barnes*, Gabriele Nicolini, Andrea Bizzi, Dave Singh
*Corresponding author: Peter J Barnes
Department of Thoracic Medicine, Imperial College School of Medicine, London, UK
F1000Posters 2010, 1: 590 (poster) [ENGLISH]
Poster [433.15 KB]
Presented at
European Respiratory Society Annual Congress 2010,
18 - 22 Sep 2010, E2036
The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines state that administration of an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) with a long acting beta 2 agonist (LABA) in a single combination "is as effective as giving the drugs separately and may increase compliance". However, fixed combinations may be more advantageous than separate inhalers also because of simultaneous drug delivery to target cells and enhanced molecular interactions.
To assess the differences between combination and concurrent therapy, we performed a systematic literature review of randomized controlled trials comparing the effects of fixed combinations and separate inhalers on asthma control.
Extrafine beclometasone/formoterol is the only fixed combination providing statistically greater asthma control as compared to separate inhalers. This effect may be linked to the extrafine formulation allowing simultaneous drug deposition in both large and small airways and uniform treatment of inflammation and bronchoconstriction.
No relevant conflicts of interest declared.
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