Clinical

Articles

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.

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

New indication: Budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort), a corticosteroid/LABA combination, was approved on February 27, 2009, for the maintenance treatment of COPD

Budesonide/Formoterol (Symbicort): Corticosteroid/LABA combination approved for the maintenance treatment of COPD

Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of asthma, COPD, and PAH

Drug Watch: Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of pulmonary diseases (March 2009) (PDF)

An observational retrospective study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine demonstrated that mortality is reduced when patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are treated with cardioselective beta-blockers before major vascular surgery.

Beta-blockers are associated with reduced mortality in patients with COPD undergoing vascular surgery

In the Understanding Potential Long-Term Impacts on Function with Tiotropium (UPLIFT) trial, tiotropium therapy for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was associated with long-term improvements in lung function, quality of life, and COPD exacerbations. The therapy did not, however, significantly reduce the rate of decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) compared with placebo.

Tiotropium improves long-term lung function in COPD

A nested case-control analysis published in the Annals of Internal Medicine demonstrated an increased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among patients with recently diagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treated with ipratropium.

Ipratropium associated with increased risk of death in patients with COPD

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is a frequently occurring complication of endotracheal intubation and hospitalization that is associated with a significant increase in morbidity, mortality, and cost of care.

Update on the diagnosis and treatment of hospital-acquired pneumonia

In a retrospective cohort study of 162 primary care practices in the United Kingdom, the use of antibiotics was demonstrated to be effective in preventing serious complications following upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), sore throat, or otitis media; however, the authors stated that the number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent 1 such complication is too high to justify prescription of the drugs for this purpose.

Antibiotics justified to prevent pneumonia after chest infection, but not to prevent other serious complications after respiratory tract infection

A review of agents in late-stage development for the treatment of asthma (July 2007).

Drug Watch: Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of asthma (July 2007) (PDF)

In a large, nested cohort study, use of inhaled corticosteroids at doses greater than 1,200 mcg/d was associated with a 61% reduction in the risk of developing lung cancer in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.