which long-acting bronchodilator to use first-line for COPD

August 2011

You'll hear debate over which long-acting bronchodilator to use first-line for COPD.

Guidelines suggest either tiotropium (Spiriva) or a long-acting beta-agonist (salmeterol, formoterol) for persistent symptoms.

Both types of bronchodilators improve COPD symptoms...but tiotropium seems to work better to prevent exacerbations.

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Table of Contents

Antiplatelets Brilinta, a new antiplatelet drug
Hepatitis C two new protease inhibitors for hepatitis C, Incivek (telaprevir) and Victrelis (boceprevir)
Anticoagulants new ORAL anticoagulant called Xarelto (zuh-REL-toe)
Statins if statins increase the risk of diabetes
Men's Health Staxyn (STAX-in), a new orally disintegrating tablet version of vardenafil (Levitra)
Men's Health new warnings about the risk of prostate cancer with finasteride (Proscar, etc) or dutasteride (Avodart, etc)
Respiratory & Allergy which long-acting bronchodilator to use first-line for COPD
Pneumonia You wouldn't think IV dexamethasone would be a good idea for a patient hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)
Vitamins & Minerals Is it ever necessary to give vitamin B12 by injection
Psychiatry New VA guidelines for post-traumatic stress disorder
Sunscreens New rules for sunscreens
Smoking Cessation new warnings about Chantix and an increased risk of cardiac events in patients with heart disease