Olodaterol for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a narrative review

Inhaled bronchodilators are the key-stone of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management. Olodaterol 5 µg, a long-acting β2-adrenoceptor agonist (LABA) is one such bronchodilator indicated as a once-daily maintenance therapy. Areas covered: This article reviews the several trials that have assessed olodaterol as a COPD therapy. It covers safety and tolerability data and provides the reader with an expert opinion on its use as a treatment for COPD. Expert opinion: Olodaterol improves lung function for 24 h and reduces rescue medication use. It may also improve dyspnea, exercise tolerance, and health-related quality of life. It is well tolerated with an acceptable cardiovascular and respiratory adverse event profile. There is some evidence that olodaterol, as well as other LABAs, can reduce exacerbation frequency, but not FEV1 decline and death. LABAs alone are indicated in group A/B COPD subjects. Olodaterol and indacaterol are administered once-daily and may offer an adherence advantage over other LABAs with more frequent dosing schedules. Co-administration of an olodaterol/tiotropium fixed dose combination in a single inhaler device is recommended as step-up in group A/B COPD subjects not sufficiently treated by olodaterol alone or as initial therapy in those with severe exertional dyspnea.