Breo Ellipta Gets FDA Nod to Treat Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Breo Ellipta gets a nod from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a disease that is the third leading cause of death in the U.S., including chronic bronchitis/emphysema.

In addition to this, the drug is also approved to lower exacerbations of COPD in patients with a history of exacerbations.

One of the serious lung diseases that gets worse over a period of time, COPD includes symptoms such as chest congestion and tightness, excessive phlegm, chronic cough. Reports according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute state that one of the leading causes of COPD is smoking.

The newly approved drug, Breo Ellipta, decreases inflammation in the lungs and aids the muscles around the airways of the lungs stay calm and relaxed so as to increase the airflow and lower the exacerbations in COPD victims.

"COPD is a serious disease that makes breathing difficult," said Curtis Rosebraugh, M.D., M.P.H., director, Office of Drug Evaluation II, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, FDA in a press statement. "The availability of new long-term maintenance medications provides additional treatment options for the millions of Americans who suffer with COPD."

Comprising of fluticasone furoate and vilanterol, the safety of the drug Breo Ellipta was evaluated in 7,700 patients who were victims of COPD. Those who were treated with the new drug showed an improvement in the lung functioning, and also witnessed a drop in exacerbations when compared to those who were given placebos.

The drug carries a strict warning of increased risk for asthma-related death. It is not approved to treat asthma. It should also not be used as a rescue therapy to treat sudden breathing problems. People below the age of 18 years should not use this drug.