Article: Fluticasone/salmeterol

Fluticasone Propionate

The Diskus device

The combination preparation fluticasone/salmeterol is a formulation containing fluticasone propionate and salmeterol xinafoate used in the management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is marketed by GlaxoSmithKline under various trade names including Advair and Seretide.

Formulations

Advair is available in 3 dosage strengths. The smallest dosage is 100/50, the intermediate dosage is 250/50 and the highest dosage is 500/50. The first number in the dosage description is how many micrograms of fluticasone propionate and the second number how many micrograms of salmeterol.

Internationally the fluticasone/salmeterol combination is delivered by a number of devices, including standard aerosol metered dose inhalers (brand name "Evohaler®" in the UK) or dry-powder devices termed "Accuhaler" in UK and "Diskus" in US. These purple disk-shaped containers are about 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) across and about 1 inch thick (2.5 cm). The diskus container holds small pellets of the drug combination, which are crushed on a dose-per-dose basis into a fine powder utilizing an internal mechanism activated by pressing a small lever on the side of the container. The powder is then inhaled directly into the lungs through a mouthpiece. Advair is inhaled two times a day, and there are 60 metered doses in the container to give a 30-day supply.