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Abstract
Drugs from the two major classes of bronchodilator; umeclidinium, a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), and vilanterol, a long-acting β2 agonist (LABA), have been combined in a single inhaler device for once-daily use in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These drugs have been proven safe and well tolerated in patients with COPD and show an enhanced improvement in FEV1 when compared to either drug in isolation and when compared with an established LAMA drug. In this article, we discuss the data supporting this combination inhaler and also review alternative combined LAMA/LABA options. We discuss where these agents are likely to find a place in the current therapy of COPD and where the future is likely to lead with these and other therapies.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The author has received travel sponsorship to attend a meeting from GSK. The author has also received speakers and consultation fees from Novartis. The author has 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.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.
Key issues
Bronchodilators, both muscarinic antagonists and β2-agonists are known to be effective therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Combination of a long-acting β2-agonist and long-acting muscarinic antagonist in the form of vilanterol and umeclidinium is safe and well tolerated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and improves lung function.