Mini Review: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, its new drug treatments and strategies: A review

Pak J Pharm Sci. 2018 May;31(3):967-971.

Abstract

COPD is a complicated disease. Current available treatments are just for symptomatic relief and they cannot reverse the damages to lungs tissues due to alveolar destruction in COPD. Research is being conducted to evaluate new treatments and strategies to find specific treatments to minimize the symptoms of COPD. A new mixture of herbal medicine i.e AKL1 has emerged and thought to cure COPD symptoms especially cough related quality of life of COPD patients. Although, the results have showed no significant difference as compared to placebo but researchers recommend further evaluation in a large population (COPD Patients) group. Another medicine Roflumilast, a phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, was also found to be effective to treat COPD under specific recommendations with further research needed. Finally another medicine Indacaterol, a novel, once-daily (o.d) inhaled long-acting β2-agonist proved to be effective clinically to treat COPD related broncho-constriction and also increasing the COPD patient's compliance by reducing the number of doses as compared to other conventional inhaled bronchodilators such as Albuterol.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists / administration & dosage*
  • Aminopyridines / administration & dosage
  • Benzamides / administration & dosage
  • Bronchodilator Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Cyclopropanes / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Indans / administration & dosage
  • Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / drug therapy*
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / physiopathology
  • Quinolones / administration & dosage
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists
  • Aminopyridines
  • Benzamides
  • Bronchodilator Agents
  • Cyclopropanes
  • Indans
  • Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors
  • Quinolones
  • Roflumilast
  • indacaterol