The Diskus?? Inhaler

Desirable management of asthma can be achieved by the correct inhalation of a corticosteroid and/or a β2-agonist with particles sized 2 to 5µm. The part of the emitted dose from an inhaler device with particles in this size range is known as the fine particle dose and this can be measured in vitro. Measurement of the pharmaceutical properties of the Diskus® inhaler in vitro have shown it to deliver a consistent and reliable dose independent of typical usage, environment and storage conditions. Reproducibility of the pharmaceutical properties of a device during patient use is important for effective asthma management, and allows the inference to be made that poor asthma control is the result of either a change in the disease process or noncompliance, rather than ineffective drug administration. Such reproducibility of pharmaceutical properties during use by different patient groups does not exist for all devices. Clinical comparisons have confirmed the Diskus® inhaler to have an equivalent clinical response in asthma patients to other dry powder inhalers. Patient acceptance studies have shown that the Diskus® inhaler is well accepted by patients and that it is easy to use. Furthermore, the combination of salmeterol and fluticasone propionate in the Diskus® inhaler reflects current asthma treatment guidelines and may facilitate patient compliance, thereby improving asthma control.