Efficacy and safety of low-dose fluticasone propionate compared with zafirlukast in patients with persistent asthma.

To compare the efficacy and safety of fluticasone propionate and zafirlukast in patients with relatively stable persistent asthma who were previously treated with inhaled corticosteroids and short-acting beta(2)-agonists.A total of 440 patients (> or =12 years of age) previously treated with inhaled corticosteroids (beclomethasone dipropionate or triamcinolone acetonide) and short-acting beta(2)-agonists were included in this randomized double-blind study. After an 8-day run-in period, patients were treated with fluticasone (88 microg) or zafirlukast (20 mg) twice daily for 6 weeks.