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Allergology Terapia 2020, 4 ( 387 ) :  53  -  57

LAMA/LABA treatment in COPD: Are all inhalers the same?

Summary: In the treatment of COPD, the primary drugs are inhaled drugs from the groups of long-acting β2-agonists (LABA) and long-acting anticholinergic drugs (LAMA). A number of preparations from these two groups are currently on the market, available in different types of inhalers. When choosing a treatment for a patient with COPD, the use of the above-mentioned drugs in separate inhalers or in combination should be considered. Several variants of LAMA/LABA combinations are already available on the market. Considering the range of substances available on the market from the LAMA and LABA groups and the range of inhalers, preparations combining two active substances in one device deserve special attention. The paper presents current information on the effectiveness of treatment with the LAMA/LABA combination in the context of the latest clinical studies (i.e. from the past five years). Clinical data shows that LAMA/LABA combinations allow to achieve the greatest improvement in FEV1 at week 12 and 24 of the study compared to other inhalable drug groups (SAMAs, LAMAs, ICS/LABA). When choosing a device, the inhaler's technical parameters should be taken into account, since its selection is one of the first important decisions in the therapeutic process. The combination of two active substances in one inhaler not only brings benefits directly resulting from the simultaneous action of both drugs, but also contributes to better patient compliance with therapeutic recommendations. According to the literature, using the LAMA/LABA combination gives the most clinical benefits compared to monotherapy with LAMA or LABA drugs.
Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, LAMA, LABA

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