Question

A 10-year-old boy presented to a new pulmonary physician for evaluation. His mother stated that his primary condition was asthma. He had developed respiratory symptoms at 2 months of age, had been seen by many specialists, and had been on multiple medications since that time. The pregnancy was uneventful. When he was 2 months old, he developed a recurrent cough. He was started on albuterol and then, at 6 years of age, switched to levalbuterol hydrochloride. At various times he has also been treated with cromolyn sodium, fluticasone proprionate and salmeterol, and montelukast as well as with a short course of prednisolone for exacerbations. His last course of oral steroids was 9 months ago. The hallmark of his illness was that a cold would always trigger his asthma. He had approximately one emergency department visit per year, but he had never been hospitalized. His asthma symptoms would typically worsen with the weather changes in the spring and fall; the cold winter months were often particularly difficult. In addition to his asthma, his medical history was remarkable for several events of otitis media, seasonal mold allergies, occasional headaches, and croup. One or more of the events occurred about three times a year, lasting approximately 3 days for each episode. His current medications include 1 inhalation of com- bination fluticasone proprionate and salmeterol in the 250/50 strength twice daily and 2 to 4 inhalations of levalbuterol as needed. This visit was scheduled in the hopes of decreasing this child’s episodes of illness, assessing the current medication regimen, and discussing new treatment opportunities.

1. What role does fluticasone proprionate and salmeterol serve in controlling this child’s asthma symptoms?

Answer 1

Fluticasone and salmeterole is acombination of two medicines that are used to control the symptoms of asthma and improve breathing.

It is used when a patient's asthma has not been controlled sufficiently on other asthma medicines, or when a patient's condition is so severe that more than one medicine is needed every day. This medicine will not relieve an asthma attack that has already started.

This medicine is also used to treat air flow.In people with asthma, fluticasone and salmeterol is for short-term treatment until symptoms are well controlled with with other medicines. blockage and reduce the worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.Fluticasone is a corticosteroid that helps reduce inflammation of the airways. Salmeterol is a long acting bronchodilator called a beta-2 agonist that relaxes the muscles around the airways. Together, the two drugs help open up the airways and alleviate breathing difficulties.

Inhaled fluticasone belongs to the family of medicines known as corticosteroids or steroids (cortisone-like medicines). It works by preventing certain cells in the lungs and breathing passages from releasing substances that cause asthma symptoms.

Inhaled salmeterol is a long-acting bronchodilator. Bronchodilators are medicines that are breathed in through the mouth to open up the bronchial tubes (air passages) in the lungs. It relieves cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and troubled breathing by increasing the flow of air through the bronchial tubes.

This medicine must be used with a short-acting medicine (eg, albuterol) for an asthma attack or asthma symptoms that need attention right away.it available inthe form of powder, disk, aerosol liquid.