Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) recommends the first-line use of dual bronchodilators, such as Ultibro Breezhaler (indacaterol/glycopyrronium bromide) to treat COPD. - Novartis

Novartis welcomes the publication of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2017 report. For the first time, GOLD has recommended the first-line use of dual bronchodilators, such as Ultibro Breezhaler (indacaterol/glycopyrronium bromide) 110/50 mcg, in the treatment of the majority of symptomatic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, regardless of their exacerbation risk. The GOLD 2017 report is a tool to help health care professionals worldwide implement effective COPD management programs. Significantly, the use of inhaled steroid-containing combination therapies is now only recommended in a minority of patients (those with a history of two or more exacerbations in the previous year, or one hospitalization), following dual bronchodilator (LABA/LAMA) treatment.

The new recommendations may translate to health care professionals moving away from the historical reliance on inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)/LABA combinations as first line therapy for the prevention of exacerbations. The GOLD 2017 report clearly identifies the elevated risk of adverse effects (including pneumonia) when using these treatments and references evidence showing no significant harm from withdrawing this medication in many patients when used as part of a triple regimen. Ultibro Breezhaler is currently the only steroid-free treatment to offer prescribers clinically proven superiority over the most prescribed ICS/LABA combination in preventing COPD exacerbations. The head-to-head FLAME study was considered significant enough to be included as a reference for the first-line use of dual bronchodilators in symptomatic patients with high exacerbation risk.

See- Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Updated 2017. Available at: http://goldcopd.org/ [Accessed 16 November 2016].