Roflumilast

Roflumilast (trade names Daxas, Daliresp) is a novel and selective, long-acting inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE-4) with IC50 of 0.8 nM. It has antiinflammatory effects for the treatment of inflammatory conditions of the lungs such as asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Roflumilast is a first-in-class antiinflammatory treatment for severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) associated with chronic bronchitis and a history of frequent exacerbations. Because roflumilast (a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor) has a different mode of action to bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids, it may provide additional benefits when added to treatments in frequent exacerbators. Roflumilast lowered glucose levels in patients with newly diagnosed DM2 without COPD, suggesting positive effects on glucose homoeostasis.