Mometasone/formoterol (Dulera) associated with a 200-mL increase in FEV1 on day 1, greater effect than fluticasone/salmeterol (Advair)

Mometasone furoate/formoterol (MF/F) is a new combination therapy for treatment of persistent asthma. It is available in the U.S. under the trade name Dulera. This trial compared the effects of MF/F and fluticasone propionate/salmeterol (FP/S) (Advair, GSK) combination therapies on pulmonary function and onset of action in subjects with persistent asthma.

700 patients (aged 12 or more years) were randomized to one of the following groups for 12 weeks (3 months):

- Dulera MDI 200/10 mcg BID (delivered as 2 inhalations of MF/F-MDI 100/5 mcg)
- Advair Diskus (DPI) 250/50 mcg (delivered as 1 inhalation) BID

Dulera was associated with a 200-mL mean increase from baseline in FEV1 at 5 minutes postdose on day 1, which was significantly larger than the 90-mL increase for Advair.



Asthma Inhalers (click to enlarge the image).

References:

Efficacy and onset of action of mometasone furoate/formoterol and fluticasone propionate/salmeterol combination treatment in subjects with persistent asthma. David I Bernstein et al. Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology 2011, 7:21.

Comments from Twitter:

Allergy&Asthma Care @allergycare_MDs:  5 min post-dose may not be best time to compare formoterol and salmeterol, due to onset of action. What are your thoughts?