Spotlight on glycopyrronium/formoterol fumarate inhalation aerosol in the management of COPD: design, development, and place in therapy

Abstract: Long-acting bronchodilators are the mainstay of the treatment of COPD. With the advent of several combination inhalers with long-acting antimuscarinic agents (LAMAs) and long-acting beta agonists (LABAs), the choice of therapy in the treatment of COPD has been ever expanding. With the focus of COPD management shifting from FEV 1 -based treatment escalation to symptoms and risk-based treatment, we are seeing a paradigm shift in COPD treatment with early introduction of LAMA–LABA combination as a single inhaler. Glycopyrronium/formoterol fumarate fixed-dose combination formulated in a familiar metered-dose inhaler format using proprietary co-suspension technology is a new option on the market. We purport to discuss the evidence behind the approval of the drug combination and its place in therapy. Keywords: exacerbations, long-acting antimuscarinic agent, long-acting beta agonist, inhaled corticosteroids, formoterol fumarate, glycopyrronium, adverse events, metered-dose inhaler