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The First Combination Medication for Asthma in the United States

Advair Diskus® is the first and only asthma medication approved by the FDA that effectively controls constriction and inflammation at the same time. Marketed by GlaxoSmithKline in 2001, Advair Diskus® is an oral inhaler that contains both an inhaled anti-inflammatory steroid (fluticasone propionate) and an inhaled long-acting bronchodilator (salmeterol) in one easy-to-use device. Together, these two ingredients provide better control of asthma than either does individually.

A clinical study published in November 2001 compared people taking Advair Diskus® 100/50 with those taking either fluticasone propionate 100 mcg or salmeterol 50 mcg alone. The results showed that Advair Diskus® provided superior control with greater improvement in lung function, more symptom-free days, and reduced need for a fast-acting inhaler.

Using a combination medication such as Advair Diskus® may simplify the treatment of asthma, a disease that often necessitates multiple medications to help control it. The convenience of the combination product may also encourage patient adherence for optimum drug treatment.

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