On March 22, 2013 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced approval of a new drug to treat a lung infection common in patients with cystic fibrosis. The drug, Tobi Podhaler (tobramycin inhalation powder) is approved for use in cystic fibrosis patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. P. aeruginosa is a bacterium that causes lung infections, which […]
COMBIVENT (ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate) – an inhaled combination of an anticholinergic (ipratropium) and a beta adrenergic agonist (albuterol) commonly used to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Ipratropium exerts its clinical effect by antagonizing the affects of acetylcholine, thereby preventing or relieving bronchospasm. Albuterol is a beta agonist which exerts its effect by relaxing […]
ProAir HFA (albuterol sulfate) – a metered dose beta agonist inhaler commonly used to treat asthma. The pharmacologic effects of albuterol sulfate are attributable to activation of beta2-adrenergic receptors on airway smooth muscle. Activation of beta2-adrenergic receptors leads to the activation of adenylcyclase and to an increase in the intracellular concentration of cyclic-3′, 5’-adenosine monophosphate […]
SYMBICORT (budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate inhalation) – a metered dose beta agonist-corticosteroid inhaler commonly used to treat asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease . Inflammation is an important component in the development of COPD and asthma. Budesonide is a compound of the corticosteroid classes, members of which possess a wide range of inhibitory activities […]