Astellas Pharma and AstraZeneca have announced the approval of the dry-power inhaler Symbicort Turbuhaler for the additional indication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).
Symbicort Turbuhaler is a combination product containing a long-acting ß2 agonist with a bronchodilating action that is the mainstay of drug-based COPD therapy,and an inhaled corticosteroid,which reduces exacerbations of COPD.
The dry-power inhaler can reduce exacerbations of COPD and has a rapid onset of action,substantially contributing to an improved quality-of-life(QOL)for COPD patients.
The COPD patients are supposed to inhale Symbicort Turbuhaler four times per day with a daily dose is 640μg of budesonide and 18μg of formoterol fumarate hydrate.
The product was launched in January 2010 as a twice-daily,dry-power inhaler combination product for the treatment of bronchial asthma in Japan.
