Efficacy of indacaterol as a single therapy versus salmeterol/fluticasone therapy in patients with milder chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Introduction: In non-exacerbation chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with mild lung function impairment, single bronchodilator therapy might be as effective as combined inhaled corticosteroid/bronchodilator therapy, whereas the risk of pneumonia associated with the latter would be practically absent.

Areas covered: We performed an analysis of a recent study evaluating the efficacy and safety of inhaled indacaterol versus inhaled salmeterol/fluticasone in COPD patients.

Expert opinion: Both therapies were found to exert comparable effects on lung function, symptom severity and health status.

Keywords:

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• indacaterol
• phenotype
• salmeterol/fluticasone

Declaration of interest

U Ruxandra was supported by Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis, Astra Zenecca, Angelini, Chiesi, Sandoz, Pfizer, Roche Elli Lilly, Servier, Bayer, Temco, Sanofi Pasteur, GSK. F Milhatan received congress fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis, Angelini, Astra Zeneca, and Chiesi, Bayer. F Milhatan is on the advisory board for GSK, Boehringer Ingelheim, Astra Zeneca, Novartis, Pfizer, Nycomed, Linde, Abbot, a speaker for Astra Zeneca, Boehringer-Ingelheim, CSC, GSK, Novartis, Nycomed, J&J, Pfizer, Servier, Bayer and has participated in clinical studies with GSK, AZ, Chiesi, Novartis. D Boisteanu is a speaker and has received congress fees for/from Astra Zeneca, Novartis, Boehringer Ingelheim. SA Antoniu has received congress fees from Angelini. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.