Prakt. lékáren. 2012; 8(1): 7-10

Roflumilast (Daxas) - new treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Vladimír Vondra

Plicní a alergologické oddělení, Praha

Roflumilast is the new anti-inflammatory drug which acts through the selective inhibition of phosphodiesterase4 (PDE4). This inhibition

increases intracellular cyclic adenosinmonophosphate (CAMP) which protects airway cells against inflammation and remodeling

in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There are described experimental studies and long-term clinical studies comparing

Roflumilast/placebo or Roflumilast plus salmeterol or thiotropium lasting 24–52 weeks. COPD subjects moderate to severe degree, bronchitis

phenotype with exacerbation in history, age more than 40 years were included in studies. Roflumilast was significantly effective

for number of COPD exacerbations, time to first exacerbation, dyspnea scores and quality of life. The main adverse event of Roflumilast

was diarrhea (6–9 %), weight loss (6–12 %), diminished during several weeks. Roflumilast has significant contribution in prevention of

COPD exacerbation and prognosis of bronchitis phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with exacerbations.

Keywords: Roflumilast, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Published: March 1, 2012  Show citation