OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to evaluate differences in asthma-related health care resource utilization between six months preceding and following the initiation of fluticasone propionate. METHODS: Adult asthmatics were identified through administrative medical and pharmacy claims from an IPA model Health Maintenance Organization. The study population was defined as any identified asthmatic, with continuous enrollment, who had a prescription for fluticasone propionate. Asthma-related resource utilization was evaluated for differences in services based on the introduction of fluticasone propionate. RESULTS: A total of 199 asthmatic members were identified with an average age of 44.7 (?12.7) years old. The majority of patients (60%) were female. There was an inverse relationship of pharmacy costs to medical costs from the pre- to post-fluticasone propionate period. Pharmacy costs increased 61%, while medical costs decreased 71 percent. Paired-sample t-tests showed a significant decrease in the number of hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and diagnostic procedures. Although pharmacy utilization increased, it resulted in an improved inhaled corticosteroid to beta-2 agonist ratio of .51 to 1.41. The net asthma-related costs declined 35%, representing a reduction of $296 per asthma study member for the six-month period. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the introduction of fluticasone propionate appeared to have a substantial impact on resource utilization and cost. Results support current literature that the use of inhaled corticosteroids reduces the number of asthma-related emergency room visits and hospitalizations.