Although healthcare providers now widely believe that inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy is the gold standard in long-term asthma management, a recent survey shows that there are still opportunities to improve effective management.1 Both clinicians and patients require a therapy that provides optimal efficacy, safety, tolerability and convenience.1 In addition, any new therapy needs to address the continuing problem of long-term patient compliance to have a more positive effect on clinical outcomes.1
Alvesco addresses these issues, providing both clinicians and patients with multiple benefits over existing asthma therapies. Alvesco delivers symptom control with a favorable safety and tolerability profile, together with the added convenience of once-daily dosing.2–29 Benefits include:
Alvesco can be dosed once daily either in the morning or evening,8 offering clinicians and patients the flexibility and convenience to maximize asthma management. Alvesco’s unique pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic profile affords benefits previously unseen in monotherapy for asthma control.
These benefits include:
Importantly, these features translate into real-life patient benefits (Table1).
| Characteristic(s) | Clinical advantage(s) | Patient benefit(s) |
|---|---|---|
| HFA–MDI dose delivery with small particle size30 |
Relatively low oropharyngeal deposition30, 33 High lung deposition30 Extended reach into the peripheral airways30 Even distribution of medication within the target organ30 |
Low incidence of local and systemic side effects2, 6–9, 11–15, 17, 19–26, 29 Effective asthma control2–8, 10, 15–20, 22, 23, 25–29 No need for a spacer in some patients 39 No need to shake the inhaler |
| Inactive parent compound activated to anti-inflammatory agent in airways31, 35 |
Targeted activity where it is needed (in the airways) Low oral bioavailability38 |
Safe and effective asthma control2-29 No need for mouth rinsing after use |
| Low bivavailability30 | Low potential for local and systemic adverse events2, 6–9, 11–15, 17, 19–26, 29 |
Reduced risk of local and systemic adverse events,2, 6–9, 11–15, 17, 19–26, 29 which may lead to improved compliance and better clinical outcomes1 |
| High receptor binding affinity of the active metabolite40 |
Efficacy comparable with, or better than, currently available ICS2, 4, 5, 10, 12, 15, 17, 29 |
Comparable or better anti-inflammatory control14, 41–45 |
| High degree of lipophilicity and fatty acid conjugation of active metabolite in lungs31, 36 |
Potential for prolonged residence time within the airways31, 36 |
Ability to dose once daily, which may enhance compliance and, therefore, improve outcomes22, 26 |
| High degree of serum protein binding37 and rapid metabolism31 |
High clearance rate38 | Provides good long-term safety and tolerability46, 47 A favorable safety profile in pediatric patients21, 25 |
HFA–MDI=hydrofluoroalkane metered-dose inhaler; ICS=inhaled corticosteroid
*Median values
For Alvesco prescribing information please refer to full Summary of Product Characteristics
Disclaimer: For exclusive use at EPG Asthma Knowledge Centre, July 2008. Local regulation may apply. Please check your local SmPC.
References:
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