Importance of salmeterol / fluticasone combination in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a very important medical problem worldwide. It is estimated that around 3 million people die each year as a result.
Although the clinical symptoms of COPD are in many ways similar to bronchial asthma and similarly to treatment, consideration should be given to the fact that the two nosological units are sufficiently distinct from each other - both by etiopathogenetic processes and diagnostic procedures. From a pharmacotherapeutic point of view, the use of parasympatholytics (ipratropia or tiotropium) currently predominates in the treatment of COPD; in asthma, inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are often the drug of choice, often in combination with b2-mimetics (fluticasone / salmeterol or budesonide / formoterol).
The following is an overview of the assumptions and current clinical experience with the administration of ICS and b2-mimetics, namely fluticasone with salmeterol, which could significantly contribute to the improvement of the clinical condition of a patient suffering from COPD.