From the Guidelines
Daliresp (roflumilast) should be prescribed at a standard dose of 500 micrograms (0.5 mg) taken once daily for severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) associated with chronic bronchitis and a history of exacerbations. This oral medication works by inhibiting the enzyme phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4), which reduces inflammation in the lungs and helps prevent COPD exacerbations 1. The medication should be taken consistently at the same time each day, with or without food. Patients should be aware that common side effects include diarrhea, weight loss, nausea, headache, and back pain, which often improve with continued use. It is not a rescue medication for acute bronchospasm and should be used as part of a comprehensive COPD management plan. Liver function should be monitored, and the medication should be used cautiously in patients with depression or suicidal thoughts as it may worsen these conditions. Roflumilast has been shown to decrease the number of moderate or severe exacerbations per patient-year, as well as the proportion of patients who have an exacerbation, and increase time to next exacerbation 1. However, it also increases adverse events, and its use should be carefully considered in individual patients. The most recent and highest quality study supports the use of roflumilast in patients with severe COPD and a history of exacerbations, particularly those with chronic bronchitis 1. Key points to consider when prescribing Daliresp include:
- Patient selection: severe COPD with chronic bronchitis and a history of exacerbations
- Dosing: 500 micrograms (0.5 mg) once daily
- Monitoring: liver function, depression, and suicidal thoughts
- Side effects: diarrhea, weight loss, nausea, headache, and back pain
- Benefits: reduced exacerbations, improved lung function, and increased time to next exacerbation.
From the FDA Drug Label
The maintenance dose of roflumilast is one 500 micrograms (mcg) tablet per day, with or without food. Starting treatment with a dose of roflumilast 250 mcg once daily for 4 weeks and increasing to roflumilast 500 mcg once daily thereafter may reduce the rate of treatment discontinuation in some patients
The recommended dose of Daliresp (roflumilast) is 500 mcg once daily, with or without food, after an initial 4-week period of 250 mcg once daily. 2 2
From the Research
Daliresp Dose Information
- The studies provided do not explicitly mention the dose of Daliresp (roflumilast) 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- However, one study mentions that roflumilast is administered at a dose of 500 μg once daily 6.
- It is essential to consult the prescribing information or a healthcare professional for the recommended dose of Daliresp.
Roflumilast Efficacy and Safety
- Roflumilast has been shown to improve lung function and reduce the frequency of exacerbations in patients with COPD 3, 4, 5, 7.
- The most common adverse effects of roflumilast include diarrhea, nausea, weight loss, and headaches 3, 5.
- Roflumilast has been found to be generally well tolerated, with side effects typically being mild to moderate 5.