Aclidinium For COPD Shown to Improve Exercise Endurance

[Gerald]

Aclidinium_bromide is sold under the name Tudorza Pressair in the US, Eklira Genuair in the UK, and Tudorza Genuair in Canada. 

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Aclidinium For COPD Shown to Improve Exercise Endurance, Dyspnea, Lung Hyperinflation and Physical Activity in Study

A recent study entitled “Aclidinium improves exercise endurance, dyspnea, lung hyperinflation, and physical activity in patients with COPD: a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial” reports improved exercise capacity and lung functional tests in patients with mild to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The study was published in the journal BMC Pulmonary Medicine.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a type of chronic obstructive lung disease characterized by impaired airflow, leading to difficulties in breathing. Specifically, COPD patients frequently exhibit a condition of hyperinflation, where the air inhaled is deficiently expelled, thus remaining in the lungs upon the next breath and resulting in a constant increased volume of air in the lungs. Hence, hyperinflation as a result from exercise is associated with symptoms of shortness of breath in COPD patients. COPD therapeutics targets the improvement of hyperinflation to allow for enhanced levels of patients physical activity.

The treatment for COPD is commonly performed with bronchodilators – drugs that act on the bronchi to increase the airflow reaching the lungs – that can be short-acting, those that provide a quick relief of symptoms, or long-acting, drugs taken routinely to prevent and control symptoms. The latter include the long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs), drugs that block activity of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor to reverse airway obstruction. In this study, the authors determined the effect of a LAMA, the aclidinium bromide, in COPD patients’ physical activity, dyspnea and lung hyperinflation.


The authors performed a randomized, double-blind, crossover study where 112 patients with COPD (mild to severe) were treated with either aclidinium, twice-a-day (400 μg) or with a placebo via a Genuair/Pressair inhaler, during 3 weeks. The researchers measured the exercise endurance alteration from the beginning of the treatment until the end, compared to placebo control group, as the primary endpoint. Exertional shortness of breath and inspiratory capacity were measure as secondary endpoints. The authors found both improved exercise endurance and inspiratory capacity with aclidinium treatment when compared to placebo, as well as decreased shortness of breath intensity during exercise. Other physical and lung functional parameters were also significantly improved with aclidinium treatment.

Thus, treatment with aclidinium (400 μg) resulted in significant improved exercise capacity, reduced shortness of breath and lung hyperinflation in COPD patients.



lungdiseasenews.com/2015/01/05/aclidinium-for-copd-shown-to-improve-exercise-endurance-dyspnea-lung-hyperinflation-and-physical-activity-in-study/

[David]

I tried it once. My Insurance does not cover Tudorza so I had to drop that. It was like $280. To much for me along with all my other medicine. I am in the USA.

[Gerald]

I tried Tudorza, it worked well at first. However, it stopped working after a week or so.

[stoker55]

It is always good to be reminded of different drugs and options for us as this is an every changing disease. Thanks

[skate4life]

I tried it too but after 3 weeks it cause my trachea to close down partially. I initially felt a little improvement but that waned too. My doc and I don't know what is the problem as I react badly to all the anticholinergics/muscarinics.....like Duoneb, Spireva, etc. And everyone is pushing these new drugs. We don't know if it is the powder, the carrier, or what, sort of an allergic reaction. But the reaction is very scary and uncomfortable even though it lasts only 4-5 hours. I had better luck with Spireva until I exhausted myself coughing and couldn't pee

[David]

I only use a Nebulizer now. I guess I used up all the powdered drugs as I went through the different stages of Emphysema over the years.

Ipratropium and Albuterol in one vial and Budesonide in another vial. I do Budesonide twice a day and Ipratropium and Albuterol 4 times a day. If I miss one I have a hard time breathing.

Tramadol stops me from having panic attacks when I get short of breath. I don't know why. It just does.

Then I use the ProAir rescue inhaler for emergency.

This is my routine right now along with exercise 5 days a week at the Hospital Wellness Center.

[skate4life]

David I think it is great that you have continued to exercise! Good for you! It won't grow you new alveoli but it will keep your muscles strong to help you do things. I think we do reach a point where there is not much left medically that can be done. Oxygen, exercise and basic medications are the mainstay.

[stoker55]

No matter what stage you are at exerise is so important and if you are fairly consistant with that you will eat better, rest better etc.