[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease : new pharmacotherapeutic options].

Abstract

Data about the clinical presentation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have resulted in a new classification of the disease. The degree of airflow limitation has been amended by symptoms and exacerbation rate. The standard pharmacotherapy of stable COPD is in transition, as fixed combinations of long acting beta agonists and long acting anticholinergics are in the late stages of clinical development. On this background inhaled corticosteroids will need to be re-evaluated. Roflumilast is a recently approved therapeutic option that primarily diminishes exacerbation frequency in patients with chronic bronchitis and severe airflow obstruction (FEV(1) < 50%). In COPD patients with acute exacerbations procalcitonin levels can be used to guide antibiotic therapy. Comparable clinical outcomes can be achieved while using significantly less amounts of antibiotics.

• Authors: T Greulich, A R Koczulla, C Vogelmeier
• Journal: Der Internist (Internist (Berl)) Vol. 53 Issue 11 Pg. 1364-70, 1373-5 (Nov 2012) ISSN: 1432-1289 [Electronic] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Chronisch-obstruktive Lungenerkrankung : Neue Optionen in der Arzneimitteltherapie.
• PMID: 22955248 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Adrenal Cortex Hormones
• Aminopyridines
• Benzamides
• Cholinergic Antagonists
• Cyclopropanes
• Roflumilast

Topics

• Adrenal Cortex Hormones (therapeutic use)
• Aminopyridines (therapeutic use)
• Benzamides (therapeutic use)
• Cholinergic Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Cyclopropanes (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive (diagnosis, drug therapy)