From the Guidelines
Yes, Advair (fluticasone-salmeterol) is used for moderate asthma.
Key Points
- The combination of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta agonists, such as fluticasone-salmeterol, is a preferred treatment for moderate persistent asthma in patients 12 years and older 1.
- This combination therapy has been shown to lead to clinically meaningful improvements in lung function and symptoms, and a reduced need for quick-relief short-acting beta2 agonists 1.
- The NAEPP EPR-2 recommendations suggest that the addition of long-acting inhaled beta2-agonists to low-to-medium doses of inhaled corticosteroids is the preferred treatment for adults and children older than 5 years of age with moderate persistent asthma 1.
- The Expert Panel Report 3 (EPR-3) guidelines also recommend the use of long-acting beta2-agonists, such as salmeterol, in combination with inhaled corticosteroids for long-term control and prevention of symptoms in moderate or severe persistent asthma 1.
Important Considerations
- It is essential to review the patient's inhaler technique and adherence, as well as determine whether environmental factors are contributing to the patient's worsening asthma, before increasing therapy 1.
- The combination of fluticasone-salmeterol has been shown to maintain good control of asthma symptoms even when reduced to once-daily dosing 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Asthma Treatment with Advair
- Advair (fluticasone-salmeterol) is a combination inhaler used to treat asthma by delivering a dose of the inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) fluticasone propionate and a dose of the long-acting beta2-adrenergic (LABA) bronchodilator salmeterol 2.
- The combination of ICS and LABA provides greater asthma control than increasing the ICS dose alone, while reducing the frequency and severity of exacerbations 2, 3.
- Advair is available in three strengths of fluticasone propionate (100,250, and 500 microg) and a fixed dose (50 microg) of salmeterol, and is typically administered twice daily 2.
Efficacy in Moderate Asthma
- Studies have shown that salmeterol/fluticasone propionate combination therapy is effective in treating moderate to severe asthma, with improvements in lung function, symptoms, and quality of life 3, 4, 5.
- In patients with moderate asthma, combination therapy with salmeterol and fluticasone propionate has been shown to be more effective than monotherapy with either drug alone or with other treatments such as budesonide or montelukast 4, 5.
- The safety of adding salmeterol to fluticasone propionate in children with asthma has also been evaluated, with results showing that the combination is associated with a similar risk of serious asthma-related events as fluticasone alone 6.
Comparison to Other Treatments
- Salmeterol/fluticasone propionate combination therapy has been compared to other treatments, including budesonide, formoterol, and montelukast, with results showing that the combination is more effective in improving lung function and symptoms 3, 4, 5.
- The combination has also been shown to be more cost-effective than monotherapy with fluticasone propionate or budesonide 5.