Tiotropium/Formoterol Via Discair® vs Tiotropium Monotherapy or Tiotropium + Formoterol Free Combination Treatment

The overall objective is to asses the bronchodilator effect of once daily Tiotropium/Formoterol combination delivered via Discair® by comparing Tiotropium (q.d.) monotherapy delivered via Handihaler and tiotropium (q.d.) delivered via Handihaler + formoterol (b.i.d) delivered via Aerolizer free combination treatment in patients with stable moderate to severe COPD.

Patients will be randomly assigned to receive Tiotropium/Formoterol combination as dry powder for inhalation by Discair® (test inhaler, n = 29) or Tiotropium as dry powder capsule for inhalation by HandiHaler or tiotropium dry powder capsule for inhalation by HandiHaler + formoterol as dry powder capsule for inhalation by Aerolizer. Patients will be evaluated at 4 consecutive visits: baseline (enrollment), screening, treatment, and 24h after treatment.

For newly diagnosed and formerly diagnosed patients who are not on COPD medication, the screening visit will be performed on the day of enrollment. For formerly diagnosed patients receiving COPD treatment, the day of the screening visit will be based on the completion of a run-in period, with the length determined by the specific medication. During the run-in period, salbutamol (100 µg inhaler) will be prescribed as a rescue medication.

Spirometric measurements (FEV1, FVC) will be performed for a period of 24 h at 12 different times: pre-treatment (15 min prior to the first dose) and post-treatment (30. min, 60 min [1 hr], 120 min [2 hr], 180 min [3 hr], 240 min [4 hr], 360 min [6 hr], 480 min [8 hr], 600 min [10 hr], 720 min [12 hr], 840 min [14 hr],1440 min [24 hr].

Inclusion criteria

• Patients aged ≥40 years with COPD diagnosis according to the current GOLD (The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) strategy.
• Patients who have symptomatic stable moderate to severe COPD diagnosis with post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio <0.70, and FEV1 <80% of predicted normal at screening visit.
• Current smokers or ex-smokers with a smoking history of at least 10 pack-years
• Patients who have no exacerbation within last 4 weeks
• Female patients with childbearing potential using effective birth control method
• Patients who signed written informed consent prior to participation
• Patients who accept to comply with the requirements of the protocol
• Patients who have a capability of communicate with investigator

Exclusion criteria

• History of hypersensitivity to drugs contains anticholinergics, beta-adrenergic, lactose
• Diagnosis of asthma
• Patients vaccinated with live attenuated vaccines within 2 weeks prior to screening visit or during run-in period.
• Patients who had COPD exacerbation or lower respiratory track infections that required antibiotic, oral or parenteral corticosteroid treatment within 4 weeks prior to screening visit or during run-in period.
• Patients who have a history of myocardial infarction, hearth failure, acute ischemic coroner disease or severe cardiac arrhythmia requiring treatment within least 6 weeks
• Patients who have lung cancer
• Patients with active tuberculosis
• Patients who use oxygen therapy
• Patients who have common interstitial lung diseases like cystic fibrosis, bronchiolitis obliterans
• Patients with serious liver or renal disease that leads to organ failure
• Women who are pregnant or nursing
• History of allergic rhinitis and atopy
• Known symptomatic prostatic hypertrophy requiring drug therapy or operation
• Patients with narrow-angle glaucoma requiring drug therapy