COPD Management with Long-Acting Beta Agonists (LABAs)

Clinical Efficacy and Cost Considerations

• LABAs are central to COPD symptom management and are commonly prescribed on a regular basis to prevent or reduce symptoms, according to the American Thoracic Society, as reported in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 1
• All LABAs significantly improve lung function, dyspnea, and health status while reducing exacerbation rates, as stated by the American Thoracic Society, in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 1
• Available LABAs include 12-hour acting agents, such as salmeterol and formoterol, as noted by the European Respiratory Society, in the European Respiratory Review and European Respiratory Journal 2, 3
• LAMAs have shown greater effect on reducing COPD exacerbations compared to LABAs, according to the European Respiratory Society, in the European Respiratory Review and European Respiratory Journal 2, 3
• Medication adherence impacts outcomes, with less frequent dosing (once-daily formulations) potentially improving adherence, as reported by the European Respiratory Society, in the European Respiratory Journal 3, 4
• The need for additional medications should be considered when evaluating cost-effectiveness, as stated by the American Thoracic Society, in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 1