Fluticasone propionate: a potent inhaled corticosteroid for the treatment of asthma

Abstract

Fluticasone propionate (FP) is a potent inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) for the treatment of asthma. It is currently marketed in both the United States (as Flovent^®) and Europe (as Flixotide^®). Fluticasone is available in both aerosolised metered dose inhaler (MDI) and dry powder devices, with dosages ranging from 44 - 500 μg/puff. FP has been extensively studied in both children and adults; efficacy has been documented across the entire spectrum of asthma severity, including corticosteroid-dependent disease. Clinical data with FP strongly corroborates the in vitro pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies that FP is at least twice as potent as beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP), budesonide (BUD) or triamcinolone acetonide (TAA). Both objective (lung function) and subjective (symptoms, β-agonist use and quality of life) outcomes are improved with FP treatment. Extensive post-marketing surveillance with FP suggests that it is more cost-effective than BUD and flunisolide (FLU) when analysed by an overall healthcare cost perspective. Most of the benefits arise from decreased hospitalisations, emergency room visits and physician-office visits. Extensive safety data with FP documents no clinically meaningful effects on bone mass, nor impairment of growth velocity in children. Considering the efficacy and safety data along with the ability to optimise patient’s asthma therapy using the delivery devices and strengths available, FP has become a leader in the ICS marketplace to date.

• anti-inflammatory
• asthma
• delivery devices
• fluticasone propionate
• GlaxoWellcome
• inhaled corticosteroid
• pharmacodynamic