Olodaterol + tiotropium bromide for the treatment of COPD

Patients suffering from COPD not controlled by a single bronchodilator should be given two bronchodilators with different mechanisms of action. Addition of a LABA to a LAMA induces a larger bronchodilation than that obtained with the LAMA as monotherapy and also improves many patient-reported outcomes. Since the clinical-functional sign regarding simultaneous use of tiotropium, which is still the dominant LAMA, and olodaterol was very strong, the combination of these two bronchodilators has been developed as FDC delivered via a single inhaler (Respimat) with the aim of simplifying the treatment regimen and improving patient adherence to treatment. The large TOviTO program of Phase III clinical trials that is involving more than 15,000 patients with different levels of COPD severity worldwide and includes several clinical studies is documenting the efficacy and safety of tiotropium/olodaterol FDC as maintenance therapy in patients with moderate to very severe COPD.