title: Aclidinium bromide plus formoterol for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Drugs that target dynamic hyperinflation such as long-acting β-2 agonists and long-acting antimuscarinic antagonists form a cornerstone of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management. The idea of combining these two medications in a single formulation, which may potentially improve patient compliance, is novel and attractive.
  
  
  METHODS
  The pharmacologic profiles of aclidinium bromide and formoterol fumarate are discussed. However, studies to define drug interactions and alterations in the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of the fixed dose combination (FDC) of aclidinium bromide/formoterol fumarate in large populations remain unpublished. Results of Phase II and two Phase III pivotal trials, ACLIFORM/COPD and AUGMENT COPD, evaluating the FDC are discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Initial data for the aclidinium/formoterol inhaler appears to be promising for impacting the lung function. To define if this benefit translates into improved long-term outcomes of decreased exacerbation frequency, improved quality of life and decreased disease-specific mortality are important. The introduction of this combination will likely have a significant impact on the prescribing habits of physicians across the world.
authors.affiliation: Medical University of South Carolina, Allergy and Sleep Medicine, Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care , 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, CSB 812, Msc 630, Charleston, SC 29425 , USA +1 843 792 7776 ; +1 843 876 2057 ; lalch@musc.edu.
authors.forename: Chitra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lal
authors.forename: Charlie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Strange
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate; D006801:Humans; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D014326:Tropanes / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; D004983:Ethanolamines; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D014326:Tropanes; C542859:aclidinium bromide; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate
keywords: aclidinium bromide; bronchodilators; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; formoterol fumarate; long-acting antimuscarinic antagonists; long-acting β-2 agonists