A Comprehensive Pharmacological and Clinical Review of Fluticasone Propionate and Formoterol Fumarate Combination Therapy for Asthma

Introduction and Executive Summary

Overview of Combination Therapy in Obstructive Airway Disease

The management of persistent obstructive airway diseases, particularly asthma, has been revolutionized by the therapeutic strategy of combining an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) with a long-acting beta₂-adrenergic agonist (LABA) in a single inhaler device.[1] This approach is now a cornerstone of maintenance therapy for a significant portion of the asthma patient population.[3] The fundamental rationale for this strategy lies in its dual-pronged attack on the complex pathophysiology of asthma. The ICS component targets the underlying chronic airway inflammation, which is a hallmark of the disease, while the LABA component provides sustained bronchodilation to relieve airway smooth muscle constriction.[1] Clinical evidence has consistently demonstrated that for patients whose asthma is not adequately controlled by ICS monotherapy, the addition of a LABA provides superior control of symptoms and lung function and reduces the frequency of exacerbations compared to simply increasing the dose of the ICS.[5] This has led to the development and widespread use of fixed-dose combination (FDC) inhalers, which offer the benefits of improved clinical efficacy and patient convenience.[3]

Introduction to Fluticasone Propionate and Formoterol Fumarate