Roflumilast for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Roflumilast is an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase- IV (PDE4), a cellular enzyme that is linked to airway inflammation in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In clinical trials, roflumilast produced significant improvements in FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second) and PEF (peak expiratory flow) compared with low-dose inhaled beclomethasone in asthma patients, and compared with placebo in COPD patients. Roflumilast reduced the use of rescue medication in both populations. COPD patients on roflumilast experienced fewer exacerbations. The most common adverse effects reported in roflumilast trials were diarrhea, nausea, headache, and abdominal pain. Evidence is only available in non-peer-reviewed format abstracts. Most of the measures used are markers of clinical effects as opposed to clinical outcomes. More studies are needed to determine the role of roflumilast in the treatment of asthma and COPD.