According to an article published by AJCM.com, a LAMA/LABA fixed dose combination (FDC) inhaler may be superior long-term therapy for COPD patients than inhaled corticosteroids.
The analysis found significant decreases in exacerbation rates in the long duration trials with the dual bronchodilator. Annual exacerbation rates among participants treated with indacaterol/glycopyrronium, one type of LAMA/LABA inhaler, were lower than the fluticasone/salmeterol group in a study.
LAMA/LABA inhalers decrease the risk of pneumonia by 33% to 67%, according to the analysis. Therefore, LAMA/LABA FDC is a more cost-effective option because of the reduction in long term adverse effects, including exacerbations, and the unpredictability of how much they can cost a COPD patient over time.
