Phamacology of fluticasone furoate and vilanterol trifenatate combination therapy for asthma

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Fluticasone furoate (FF) is a novel inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). Vilanterol trifenate (VI) is a new inhaled, selective, long – acting β₂ adrenergic agonist (LABA). It is now also marketed as a novel once daily combined ICS/LABA indicated for treatment of moderate and severe asthma.

Areas covered: FF has a highly specific, fast association and slow dissociation from the glucocorticoid receptor, with a 24 hr duration of action. This, combined with a slow transport out of respiratory cells, creates a long tissue retention period. Vilanterol trifenate (VI) is a new inhaled, selective, long – acting β₂ adrenergic agonist, also with a rapid onset of action with a maximal effect within 6 mins and prolonged lung retention with effects on lung function over 24 hours.

Expert commentary: Multiple Phase I–III efficacy studies performed on FF and VI have shown an improvement in spirometry as well as symptom control in asthma. The development of once daily ICS/LABA combinations may potentially improve adherence to asthma therapy, but this has yet to be demonstrated.

KEYWORDS:

• Asthma
• fluticasone furoate
• vilanterol trifenatate
• combination ICS/LABA

Declaration of interest

The authors were supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council, GSK, Astra Zeneca. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Additional information

Funding

No funding to declare.