Equivalent lung deposition of budesonide in vivo: a comparison of dry powder inhalers using a pharmacokinetic method

Anti-asthma Drugs Formoterol and Budesonide (Symbicort) Induce Orofacial Clefts, Gastroschisis and Heart Septum Defects in an In Vivo Model

BACKGROUND

We had a case in which three consecutive pregnancies resulted in birth of three children with an orofacial cleft. Their mother suffered from bronchial asthma and was treated using symbicort (corticosteroid budesonide plus bronchodilator formoterol) during her pregnancies. A hypothesis was assessed: these anti-asthmatics can induce an orofacial cleft in experimental model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A single administration of one of five increasing doses (including therapeutically used ones) of Symbicort, budesonide or formoterol was injected into the amnion of a chick embryo on day 4 or 5 of incubation. The teratogenic/lethal effects of the anti-asthmatics were assessed on a total of 600 embryos.

RESULTS

For budesonide, the teratogenic/lethal effect started at a dose 0.003 μg per embryo, for formoterol at 0.3 μg and for Symbicort 0.03 μg. Orofacial clefts and gastroschisis after exposure were found for all three anti-asthmatics. Heart septum defects occurred after exposure to formoterol.

CONCLUSION

The present results support those clinical/epidemiological studies pointing out that anti-asthmatics have the potential to induce orofacial clefts, gastroschisis and heart malformations during prenatal development in human.

A sensitive and high-throughput LC-ESI-MS/MS method to detect budesonide in human plasma: application to an evaluation of pharmacokinetics of budesonide intranasal formulations with and without charcoal-block in healthy volunteers

Budesonide is one of the intranasal corticosteroids, referred as first-line therapy for allergic rhinitis. Its determination is a challenging task due to its extremely low plasma levels, which limits the progress in the investigation of pharmacokinetics and quality control of preparations. In this study, a sensitive and high-throughput method to determine budesonide in human plasma using budesonide-d8 as the internal standard was developed and validated. A small volume of plasma sample (0.2 mL) was diluted with 0.2 mL water, followed by a solid-phase extraction using Cleanert PEP-2 products. Extracted samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Chromatographic separation of analytes was performed on an InertSustain AQ-C18 HP column (3 µm, 2.1 × 50 mm) under the reversed-phase condition with gradient elution. With the assay, linear calibration curves were obtained over the concentration range of 10-1200 pg/mL for budesonide, with considerable extraction recoveries (84.7-89.4%), and negligible matrix effects (<4.1). Moreover, the newly developed method was successfully applied to the evaluation of pharmacokinetics of two budesonide intranasal formulations with and without charcoal block in healthy volunteers.

Combined in Vitro-in Silico Approach to Predict Deposition and Pharmacokinetics of Budesonide Dry Powder Inhalers

PURPOSE

A combined in vitro - in silico methodology was designed to estimate pharmacokinetics of budesonide delivered via dry powder inhaler.

METHODS

Particle size distributions from three budesonide DPIs, measured with a Next Generation Impactor and Alberta Idealized Throat, were input into a lung deposition model to predict regional deposition. Subsequent systemic exposure was estimated using a pharmacokinetic model that incorporated Nernst-Brunner dissolution in the conducting airways to predict the net influence of dissolution, mucociliary clearance, and absorption.

RESULTS

DPIs demonstrated significant in vitro differences in deposition, resulting in large differences in simulated regional deposition in the central conducting airways and the alveolar region. Similar but low deposition in the small conducting airways was observed with each DPI. Pharmacokinetic predictions showed good agreement with in vivo data from the literature. Peak systemic concentration was tied primarily to the alveolar dose, while the area under the curve was more dependent on the total lung dose. Tracheobronchial deposition was poorly correlated with pharmacokinetic data.

CONCLUSIONS

Combination of realistic in vitro experiments, lung deposition modeling, and pharmacokinetic modeling was shown to provide reasonable estimation of in vivo systemic exposure from DPIs. Such combined approaches are useful in the development of orally inhaled drug products.

Anthropometry-based generation of personalized and population-specific human airway models

Understanding aerosol deposition in the human lung is of great significance in pulmonary toxicology and inhalation pharmacology. Adverse effects of inhaled environmental aerosols and pharmacological efficacy of inhaled therapeutics are dependent on aerosol properties as well as person-specific respiratory tract anatomy and physiology. Anatomical geometry and physiological function of human airways depend on age, gender, weight, fitness, health, and disease status. Tools for the generation of the population- and subject-specific virtual airway anatomical geometry based on anthropometric data and physiological vitals are invaluable in respiratory diagnostics, personalized pulmonary pharmacology, and model-based management of chronic respiratory diseases. Here we present a novel protocol and software framework for the generation of subject-specific airways based on anthropometric measurements of the subject's body, using the anatomical input, and the conventional spirometry, providing the functional (physiological) data. This model can be used for subject-specific simulations of respiration physiology, gas exchange, and aerosol inhalation and deposition.

Bioequivalence studies of inhaled indacaterol maleate in healthy Chinese volunteers under gastrointestinal non-blocking or blocking with concomitant charcoal administration

BACKGROUND

Indacaterol is one of the long-acting beta₂-adrenergic agonists, referred as first-line monotherapy for Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease since 2011. Generic products are encouraged to benefit the large COPD patients in China, in which can provide more choices association with reduced cost and improve the quality of patient life.

OBJECTIVE

The three-part study consists of two independent cohorts of thirty-six subjects, aimed to evaluate the bioequivalence (BE) of two indacaterol formulations in gastrointestinal (GI) absorption charcoal-block or non-block conditions. One pilot study performed in six healthy subjects to determine the blocking effect of a new charcoal-based regimen on GI absorption after orally inhalation of indacaterol.

METHODS

Two BE studies were conducted with a randomized, open-label, 2-period crossover design in two independent 36-healthy-subject cohorts, equivalence in systemic and lung deposition was assessed after inhalation of a single dose of 150 μg indacaterol (test or reference formulation) alone or concomitant administration of charcoal. The charcoal-based regimen was improved by optimizing the dose and number of doses, and its blocking efficacy against GI absorption was assessed in a pilot study. Six healthy subjects received 9 g charcoal 10 min before, immediately after and 2 h after indacaterol (3 g/100 ml water × 3 times). Blood collected at predetermined time points up to 72 h. Plasma indacaterol concentrations were determined using HPLC-MS/MS. Pharmacokinetics parameters were calculated with non-compartment analysis. Equivalences were concluded if the 90% confidence interval (CI) for test: reference of C_max and AUC_0-t fell within the limits of 0.8-1.25.

RESULTS

Indacaterol was undetectable in plasma samples in pilot study. The T/R ratio of the geometric mean C_max and AUC_0-t was 109.9% (90% CI, 106.1-113.8%) and 104.8% (90% CI, 101.5-108.1%) for charcoal-block subjects and 105.4% (90% CI, 99.8% ~ 111.3%), and 101.0% (90% CI, 97.7%-104.4%) for non-block subjects. No serious adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that 150 μg indacaterol (+/- 9 g charcoal) was well tolerated in all subjects. The two formulations are bioequivalent in terms of the rate and absorption both in charcoal-block and non-block conditions. The improved charcoal-based regimen demonstrated to be effective and fully blockade of GI absorption of indacaterol.

Today's improvement in asthma treatment: role of MART and Easyhaler

Asthma affects more than 330 million people worldwide, but many analyses have shown that there are still a lot of unmet needs for both patients and physicians in the treatment of asthma: poor adherence to treatment is one of the main causes of sub-optimal clinical results. Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (MART) with the combination of formoterol and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) has an established scientific rationale and demonstrated to reduce asthma exacerbations. The aim of this review is to highlight how in asthmatic patients MART can be able to express its maximum therapeutic potential when administered through an 'ideal inhaler'. Since the treatment may be necessary several times a day, the use of a single combination inhaler simplifies the management, potentially improving adherence; moreover, easiness of use and comfort in administration of asthma treatment devices are not secondary aspects. Asthmatic patients are often young, with a normal relational and working life and they could request for a comfortable and not too noticeable device. Finally to the "ideal inhaler" is requested to guarantee accuracy, dose consistency, and resistance to stress conditions. Easyhaler® more closely demonstrates many expected characteristics: effective, consistent performance regardless of inspiration rate, stability, versatility, with several patient acceptability advantages. Asthma control is enhanced by a strong adherence obtained through the combination in a single inhaler of both maintenance and reliever therapy and the availability of a device as close as possible to the characteristics of the ideal inhaler.

Easyhaler®: an overview of an inhaler device for day-to-day use in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Inhalation therapy is likely to continue to dominate asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment. The pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) accounts for most of the global inhaler market, but this kind of device is difficult to use properly. Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) have several advantages over pMDIs: they are breath-activated, easy and convenient to use, and environmentally friendly. The Easyhaler^® (Orion; Finland) is a multidose reservoir-type DPI developed to efficiently deliver a wide range of medications, including fixed-dose combinations of bronchodilators and corticosteroids. Easyhaler shares a similar shape with the pMDI, and its performance is unaffected by moisture, dropping, vibration, and freezing/thawing. For these reasons, Easyhaler may be considered one of the most convenient inhalers for daily use in patients with asthma or COPD.

The effects of respiratory inhaled drugs on the prevention of acute mountain sickness

BACKGROUND

Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is common in high-altitude travelers, and may lead to life-threatening high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) or high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). The inhaled drugs have a much lower peak serum concentrations and a shorter half-life period than oral drugs, which give them a special character, greater local effects in the lung. Meanwhile, short-term administration of inhaled drugs results in almost no adverse reactions.

METHODS

We chose inhaled ipratropium bromide/salbutamol sulfate (combivent, COM), budesonide (pulmicortrespules, BUD), and salbutamol sulfate (ventolin, VEN) in our study to investigate their prophylactic efficacy against AMS. Since COM is a compound drug of ipratropium bromide and salbutamol sulfate, to verify which part of COM plays a role in the prevention of AMS, we also tested VEN in our experiment.

RESULTS

In our study, Lake Louise scores (LLS) in the COM (1.14 ± 0.89 vs 1.91 ± 1.23, P < .05) and BUD (1.35 ± 0.94 vs 1.91 ± 1.23, P < .05) groups were both significantly lower than the placebo group at 72 hours. There were no significant differences in LLS scores among the 4 groups at 120 hours. The incidence of AMS in the COM group was significantly reduced at 72 hours (16.7% in COM group vs 43.4% in placebo group, P < .05) after exposure to high-altitude. There were no significant differences in AMS incidences at 120 hours among the 4 groups.

CONCLUSION

The prophylactic use of COM could prevent AMS in young Chinese male at 72 hours after high-altitude exposure. BUD also could reduce LLS but not prevent AMS at 72 hours. Ipratropium bromide maybe the effective drug in COM work on the prevention of AMS alone.

A compartment-quasi-3D multiscale approach for drug absorption, transport, and retention in the human lungs

Most current models used for modeling the pulmonary drug absorption, transport, and retention are 0D compartmental models where the airways are generally split into the airways and alveolar sections. Such block models deliver low fidelity solutions and the spatial lung drug concentrations cannot be obtained. Other approaches use high fidelity CFD models with limited capabilities due to their exorbitant computational cost. Recently, we presented a novel, fast-running and robust quasi-3D (Q3D) model for modeling the pulmonary airflow. This Q3D method preserved the 3D lung geometry, delivered extremely accurate solutions, and was 25 000 times faster in comparison to the CFD methods. In this paper, we present a Q3D-compartment multiscale combination to model the pulmonary drug absorption, transport, and retention. The initial deposition is obtained from CFD simulations. The lung absorption compartment model of Yu and Rosania is adapted to this multiscale format. The lung is modeled in the Q3D format till the eighth airway generation. The remainder of the lung along with the systemic circulation and elimination processes was modeled using compartments. The Q3D model is further adapted, by allowing for various heterogeneous annular lung layers. This allows us to model the drug transport across the layers and along the lung. Using this multiscale model, the spatiotemporal drug concentrations in the different lung layers and the temporal concentration in the plasma are obtained. The concentration profile in the plasma was found to be better aligned with the experimental findings in comparison with compartmental model for the standard test cases. Thus, this multiscale model can be used to optimize the target-specific drug delivery and increase the localized bioavailability, thereby facilitating applications from the bench to bedside for various patient/lung-disease variations.

Thin Air Resulting in High Pressure: Mountain Sickness and Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension

With rising altitude the partial pressure of oxygen falls. This phenomenon leads to hypobaric hypoxia at high altitude. Since more than 140 million people permanently live at heights above 2500 m and more than 35 million travel to these heights each year, understanding the mechanisms resulting in acute or chronic maladaptation of the human body to these circumstances is crucial. This review summarizes current knowledge of the body's acute response to these circumstances, possible complications and their treatment, and health care issues resulting from long-term exposure to high altitude. It furthermore describes the characteristic mechanisms of adaptation to life in hypobaric hypoxia expressed by the three major ethnic groups permanently dwelling at high altitude. We additionally summarize current knowledge regarding possible treatment options for hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension by reviewing in vitro, rodent, and human studies in this area of research.

A randomized, controlled multicentric study of inhaled budesonide and intravenous methylprednisolone in the treatment on acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

Almost all international guidelines recommend corticosteroids for management of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), because it leads to improved outcomes of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Nevertheless, due to its side effects, there are still concerns regarding the use of systemic corticosteroid (SC). Inhaled corticosteroids (IC) can be used as an alternative to SC, while reducing the risk of occurrence of side effects.

PURPOSE

To measure the clinical efficacy and side effects of nebulized budesonide and systemic methylprednisolone in AECOPD.

METHODS

Valid data from 410 AECOPD patients in 10 hospitals was collected. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups; budesonide group, treated with nebulized budesonide (2 mg 3 times/day); and methylprednisolone group, treated with intravenously injected methylprednisolone (40 mg/day). COPD assessment test (CAT), arterial blood gas analysis, hospitalization days, adverse effects, fasting blood glucose, serum creatinine, alanine aminotransferase levels, and blood drug were measured and analyzed in both groups.

RESULTS

Symptoms, pulmonary function and arterial blood gas analysis were significantly improved after treatment in both groups (P < 0.05), with no significant differences between them (P > 0.05), while incidence of adverse events in the budesonide group was lower (P < 0.05). No significant differences in CAT score, days of admission, blood gas analysis results and physiological and biochemical indexes were found between the two groups. Patients treated with methylprednisolone showed a higher degree of PaO₂ level improvement.

CONCLUSION

Results show that inhalation of budesonide (2 mg 3 times/day) and systemic methylprednisolone (40 mg/day) had similar clinical outcome in AECOPD. In conclusion, inhaled budesonide is an alternative to systemic corticosteroids in AECOPD treatment.

Numerical simulation of emitted particle characteristics and airway deposition distribution of Symbicort(®) Turbuhaler(®) dry powder fixed combination aerosol drug

One of the most widespread dry powder fixed combinations used in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management is Symbicort(®) Turbuhaler(®). The aim of this study was to simulate the deposition distribution of both components of this drug within the airways based on realistic airflow measurements. Breathing parameters of 25 healthy adults (11 females and 14 males) were acquired while inhaling through Turbuhaler(®). Individual specific emitted doses and particle size distributions of Symbicort(®) Turbuhaler(®) were determined. A self-developed particle deposition model was adapted and validated to simulate the deposition of budesonide (inhaled corticosteroid; ICS) and formoterol (long acting β2 agonist; LABA) in the upper airways and lungs of the healthy volunteers. Based on current simulations the emitted doses varied between 50.4% and 92.5% of the metered dose for the ICS, and between 38% and 96.1% in case of LABA component depending on the individual inhalation flow rate. This variability induced a notable inter-individual spread of the deposited lung doses (mean: 33.6%, range: 20.4%-48.8% for budesonide and mean: 29.8%, range: 16.4%-42.9% for formoterol). Significant inter-gender differences were also observed. Average lung dose of budesonide was 29.2% of the metered dose for females and 37% for males, while formoterol deposited with 26.4% efficiency for females and 32.5% for males. Present results also highlighted the importance of breath-holding after inhalation of the drug. About a half of the total lung deposition occurred during breath-hold at 9.6s average breath-hold time. Calculated depositions confirmed appropriate lung deposition of Symbicort(®) Turbuhaler(®) for both genders, however more effort for optimal inhalation technique is advised for persons with low vital capacity. This study demonstrated the possibility of personalized prediction of airway deposition of aerosol drugs by numerical simulations. The methodology developed in this study will be applicable also to other marketed drugs in the future.

Pharmacokinetic properties and bioequivalence of orally inhaled salbutamol in healthy Chinese volunteers

CONTEXT

Salbutamol is a short-acting β2-adrenergic receptor agonist that has been used for many years for relief of bronchospasm. However, studies on the pharmacokinetic profile of orally inhaled salbutamol doses used in clinical practice have not yet been reported in Chinese subjects.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics and evaluate the bioequivalence of two orally inhaled salbutamol formulations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A single-dose randomized fasting two-period, two-treatment and two-sequence crossover open-label bioequivalence study was conducted in 24 healthy Chinese adult male volunteers, with a 1-week washout period between treatments. Plasma concentrations of salbutamol were determined using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters, including AUC0-0.33 h, AUC0-24 h and Cmax were calculated and the 90% confidence intervals of the ratio (test/reference) pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained by analysis of variance on logarithmically transformed data.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) pharmacokinetic parameters of the reference drug were AUC0-0.33 h, 227.2 (89.9) pg·h/ml; AUC0-24 h, 2551.9 (1008.0) pg·h/ml; Cmax, 801.3 (307.3) pg/ml and t1/2, 5.14(1.36) h. Those of the test drug were AUC0-0.33 h, 244.0 (104.4) pg·h/ml; AUC0-24 h, 2664.4 (1081.8) pg·h/ml; Cmax, 873.7 (374.4) pg/ml, t1/2, 5.29 (1.23) h. The median value for Tmax was 0.25 h for both formulations. The 90% confidence intervals for the AUC0-0.33 h, AUC0-24 h and Cmax were in the range of 0.892-1.208, 0.876-1.195 and 0.911-1.203, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This single-dose study found that the test and reference products met the regulatory criteria for bioequivalence of China in healthy Chinese volunteers.

Inhaled budesonide and oral dexamethasone prevent acute mountain sickness

BACKGROUND

This double-blind, randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate inhaled budesonide and oral dexamethasone compared with placebo for their prophylactic efficacy against acute mountain sickness after acute high-altitude exposure.

METHODS

There were 138 healthy young male lowland residents recruited and randomly assigned to receive inhaled budesonide (200 μg, twice a day [bid]), oral dexamethasone (4 mg, bid), or placebo (46 in each group). They traveled to 3900 m altitude from 400 m by car. Medication started 1 day before high-altitude exposure and continued until the third day of exposure. Primary outcome measure was the incidence of acute mountain sickness after exposure.

RESULTS

One hundred twenty-four subjects completed the study (42, 39, and 43 in the budesonide, dexamethasone, and placebo groups, respectively). Demographic characteristics were comparable among the 3 groups. After high-altitude exposure, significantly fewer participants in the budesonide (23.81%) and dexamethasone (30.77%) groups developed acute mountain sickness compared with participants receiving placebo (60.46%) (P = .0006 and P = .0071, respectively). Both the budesonide and dexamethasone groups had lower heart rate and higher pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) than the placebo group at altitude. Only the budesonide group demonstrated less deterioration in forced vital capacity and sleep quality than the placebo group. Four subjects in the dexamethasone group reported adverse reactions.

CONCLUSIONS

Both inhaled budesonide (200 μg, bid) and oral dexamethasone (4 mg, bid) were effective for the prevention of acute mountain sickness, especially its severe form, compared with placebo. Budesonide caused fewer adverse reactions than dexamethasone.

Pharmacokinetic study for the establishment of bioequivalence of two inhalation treatments containing budesonide plus formoterol

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare lung deposition and assess the bioequivalence of two formulations containing budesonide and formoterol and being delivered via Elpenhaler and Turbuhaler, respectively. A pharmacokinetic (PK) study was conducted.

METHODS

An open, randomized, two-sequence, two-period, crossover, single-dose study in 100 asthmatic patients under fasting conditions was performed. Wash out period was 6 days. Equivalence in lung deposition was assessed after a single inhalation of each treatment with concomitant oral administration of activated charcoal (40 g) to prevent gastrointestinal absorption of the drugs. Several PK parameters were estimated, the area under the drug concentration in plasma versus time curve (AUC0-t ) and the maximum drug concentration in plasma (Cmax ) being the primary response variables. Equivalent lung deposition was concluded if the 90% confidence interval (CI) for the Elpenhaler/Turbuhaler geometric mean ratio of AUC0-t and Cmax , for both drug substances fell within the regulatory limits (0.80-1.25).

KEY FINDINGS

Acceptance criteria were met. Equivalent lung deposition can be concluded. No statistically significant differences between treatments in the incidence of adverse events were found.

CONCLUSIONS

The formulations are bioequivalent regarding both rate and extent of absorption. The treatments were also well tolerated by the participating subjects.

Development of Budesonide Loaded Biopolymer Based Dry Powder Inhaler: Optimization, In Vitro Deposition, and Cytotoxicity Study

The progress in the development of DPI technology has boosted the use of sensitive drug molecules for lung diseases. However, delivery of these molecules from conventional DPI to the active site still poses a challenge with respect to deposition efficiency in the lung. At same time, serious systemic side effects of drugs have become a cause for concern. The developed budesonide loaded biopolymer based controlled release DPI had shown maximum in vitro lung deposition with least toxicity. The subject of present study, lactose-free budesonide loaded biopolymer based DPI, further corroborates the great potential of antiasthmatic drugs. This technology is expected to revolutionize the approaches towards enhanced therapeutic delivery of prospective drugs.

Switching patients from other inhaled corticosteroid devices to the Easyhaler(®): historical, matched-cohort study of real-life asthma patients

Purpose

To investigate the clinical and cost effectiveness of switching real-life asthma patients from other types of inhalers to the Easyhaler^® (EH) for the administration of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS).

Patients and methods

Historical, matched-cohort study of 1,958 asthma patients (children and adults) treated in UK primary-care practices, using data obtained from the Optimum Patient Care Research Database and Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Other inhalers (OH) included pressurized metered-dose inhalers, breath-actuated inhalers, and dry-powder inhalers, delivering beclomethasone, budesonide, fluticasone, or ciclesonide. Patients remaining on OH unchanged (same drug, dosage, and device; n=979) were matched 1:1 with those switched to the EH (beclomethasone or budesonide) at the same or lower ICS dosage (n=979), based on age, sex, year of index patient review/switch, most recent ICS drug, dosage, and device, and the number of severe exacerbations and average daily short-acting β₂ agonist (SABA) dosage in the preceding year. Clinical outcomes and health care costs were compared between groups for 12 months before and after the switch. Co-primary clinical outcomes were: 1) risk domain asthma control (RDAC) – no asthma-related hospitalization, acute oral steroid use, or lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI); 2) exacerbation rate (American Thoracic Society [ATS] definition) – where exacerbation is asthma-related hospitalization or acute oral steroid use; 3) exacerbation rate (clinical definition) – where exacerbation is ATS exacerbation or LRTI; and 4) overall asthma control (OAC) – RDAC plus average salbutamol-equivalent SABA dosage ≤200 μg/day. Non-inferiority (at least equivalence) of EH was tested against OH for the four co-primary outcomes in order (hierarchical approach) by comparing the difference in proportions of patients [EH-OH] achieving asthma control or having no exacerbations in the outcome year, using a limit of 10% difference.

Results

Non-inferiority was shown for the EH for all four co-primary outcomes. There were no significant differences between groups for RDAC or exacerbation rates, but EH patients were significantly more likely to achieve OAC (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.26 [1.05, 1.52]), as significantly more EH than OH patients had an average SABA dosage of ≤200 μg/day (52% versus 47%, respectively; P<0.001). Mean asthma-related health care costs increased from baseline to outcome years in both groups, but SABA costs increased significantly more in OH than EH patients (mean difference £5.5/patient/year) and consultation costs decreased significantly more in EH than OH patients (mean difference £13.5/patient/year).

Conclusion

Typical asthma patients may be switched from other ICS devices to the Easyhaler^® with no reduction in clinical effectiveness or increase in cost.

The oral, once-daily phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor roflumilast lacks relevant pharmacokinetic interactions with inhaled budesonide

This open-label, randomized, 3-period crossover study evaluated the pharmacokinetic interaction potential of roflumilast and budesonide following repeated coadministration to healthy male subjects (N = 12). Treatments consisted of oral roflumilast 500 mug, once daily, orally inhaled budesonide 800 mug, twice daily, and concomitant administration of both treatments for 7 days each. Roflumilast and roflumilast N-oxide in plasma and budesonide serum levels were measured by specific assays. Geometric mean test/reference ratios of steady-state pharmacokinetic parameters were evaluated by analysis of variance. Safety and tolerability were monitored. Pharmacokinetic parameters of roflumilast, roflumilast N-oxide, and budesonide after coadministration of roflumilast and budesonide were similar to those after mono-treatment. Compared with budesonide and roflumilast mono-treatments, slightly lower maximum serum/plasma concentration (C(max)) and area under the curve (AUC) values of roflumilast N-oxide and budesonide (ranging from -8% to -16%) were observed with combined treatment. All test/reference ratios were within predefined equivalence acceptance ranges for roflumilast AUC (0.80, 1.25) and C(max) (0.70, 1.43) and for roflumilast N-oxide and budesonide AUC and C(max) (all 0.67, 1.50). Coadministration of roflumilast and budesonide did not alter the steady-state disposition of each other and did not affect safety and tolerability of either drug.