[Right and wrong of salmeterol/fluticasone propionate combination]

Abstract

Although salmeterol (SLM)/fluticasone propionate (FP) combination has been widely used in the world, this is not yet available in Japan. The combination risk was concerned based on overseas reports about adrenal suppression with high dose FP or asthma exacerbation from undesirable administration of SLM without ICS. Therefore, in this article, it was reviewed the evidence of both efficacy profile and safety profile of the SLM/FP for the combination with FP and SLM, and it was concluded that safety concerns of SLM and FP are low and the benefits of SLM/FP combination exceed the risks, at least they are used properly. Since SLM/FP combination has synergic effect clinically, this will reduce high dose used FP and they also reduce using SLM without ICS. The compliance will be improved by the combination. To improve asthma control, Japanese clinicians expect to be available this combination soon.