Respiratory

Self-injectable respiratory medication opens doors for patients with severe asthma

June 10, 2019

The first respiratory biologic to be approved for administration via an autoinjector will be available in the US soon.

BUD/FORM maintenance and reliever therapy effective asthma control

June 17, 2011

Budesonide/Formoterol maintenance and reliever therapy is an effective option for patients requiring treatment adjustments across Steps 2 to 4 of the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines, according to the results of a study published online, June 2 in Respiratory Research.

IACs linked to increased risk of acute urinary retention in men with COPD

June 10, 2011

Use of short- and long-acting inhaled anticholinergic medications in men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is associated with an increased risk of acute urinary retention, according to the results of a study published in the May 23 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

Study: Pirfenidone shows promise as IPF treatment option

May 27, 2011

Pirfenidone, an investigational drug (InterMune) that inhibits the synthesis of TGF-beta and TNF-alpha, was associated with positive effects on lung function, 6-minute walk test distance, and progression-free survival in patients with mild-to-moderate idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, according to a study published in The Lancet.

Breaking News: Diabetes, specialty drugs continue to drive growth in drug spending

May 18, 2011

For the fourth consecutive year, diabetes therapy topped the list of contributors to drug use trends in therapeutic categories, contributing 16.1% to overall growth in drug spending in 2010 due to an increasing number of patients, according to the recently released 2011 Medco Drug Trend Report, which tracks utilization and spending.

Roflumilast oral treatment (Daliresp): Treatment to reduce COPD exacerbations in patients with severe COPD associated with chronic bronchitis

May 01, 2011

New molecular entity: Roflumilast oral treatment was approved by FDA as treatment to reduce risk of COPD exacerbations.

Tiotropium superior to salmeterol in preventing exacerbations in COPD

April 08, 2011

The anticholinergic drug tiotropium is more effective than the ?2-agonist salmeterol in preventing exacerbations in patients with moderate-to-very-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to a multicenter European study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Tigecycline (Tygacil): Tetracycline-class antibiotic approved for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia

May 01, 2009

New indication: Tigecycline (Tygacil), a tetracycline-class antibiotic, was approved on March 20, 2009, for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia

Drug Watch: Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (May 2009) (PDF)

May 01, 2009

Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of cystic fibrosis.

Nebulized albuterol versus levalbuterol in pediatric and adult patients: A review

April 01, 2009

This article reviews the similarities and differences between albuterol (ALB) and levalbuterol (LEV) to provide P&T committees a concise summary of the available literature regarding efficacy, side effects, and cost of these agents.