Budesonide and formoterol combination for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Current guidelines recommend the addition of inhaled steroids to bronchodilators, which are central to the symptomatic management of COPD in patients with severe disease. Budesonide/formoterol is a combination inhaled steroid and long-acting bronchodilator delivered by a dry-powder inhaler, approved for use in COPD. Two large, randomised, double-blind, 12-month studies found that combination budesonide/formoterol is more effective than either component alone in addressing many important aspects of the disease, such as pulmonary function, symptoms, use of relief medication, health-related quality of life and exacerbation in patients suffering from severe COPD. This review discusses the pharmacological and clinical properties of the drug.
Centanni
Stefano
S
Unità Operativa di Malattie dell'Apparato Respiratorio, Ospedale San Paolo, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via A. di Rudinì 8, 20142, Milan, Italy. stefano.centanni@unimi.it
Di Marco
Fabiano
F
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019819:Budesonide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate; D006801:Humans; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004983:Ethanolamines; D019819:Budesonide; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate