Salmeterol/fluticasone propionate combination therapy 50/250 μ g twice daily is more effective than budesonide 800 μ g twice daily in treating moderate to severe asthma

Three hundred and fifty-three asthmatic patients who remained symptomatic despite treatment with budesonide 800–1200 μ g day−1(or equivalent) were randomized to a new combination therapy comprising salmeterol 50 μ g and fluticasone propionate 250 μ g (SeretideTM, AdvairTM, VianiTM50/250 μ g) twice daily or budesonide 800 μ g twice daily for 24 weeks. Patients kept daily records of their morning and evening peak expiratory flow (PEF), daytime and night-time symptom scores and daytime and night-time use of rescue salbutamol.