Roflumilast

[BelleBea]

Has anyone any experience of using Roflumilast? I know that it is not "licensed" as a prescription drug in Britain unless you are taking part in a clinical trial, but is used in Europe and America.

The 'obstructive' element of my COPD seems to be getting worse and I wondered if it was worth getting a private prescription to give it a try.

[Hidden]

Can't help I'm afraid but I saw stilltruckin put something on about this a couple of weeks ago which looked helpful healthunlocked.com/blf/post...

[stilltruckin]

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/250...

Quote:

'. . . This analysis shows that patients treated with roflumilast to reduce exacerbation risk may also experience small but significant improvements in dyspnea, with accompanying improvements in lung function.'

[BelleBea in reply to stilltruckin]

Hi Stilltruckin. Thanks for your reply and many interesting posts.

I noticed that you started using this medication about two years ago. Are you still using it? And have you any observations about its effect?

I weigh 44kg so thought half a tablet would be sufficient.

[stilltruckin in reply to BelleBea]

Hi BelleBea. Yes, I'm still using roflumilast. I figure half a tab is enough for me, particularly in light of the cost. In a clinical trial 250 mcg was 70% as effective as the full 500 mcg dose for FEV1 improvement, and a lower body weight means a lower dose requirement.

Roflumilast isn't a bronchodilator, so there's no noticeable effect in the short term. I did feel some improvement within the first couple of weeks, but that may have been the placebo effect for all I know. Now of course I just feel 'normal' and trust it's working as advertised, at least to some extent.

I don't fit the official target patient type which is people with chronic bronchitis and frequent exacerbations, however: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/264...

[BelleBea in reply to stilltruckin]

Thanks for the information Stilltruckin.

I don't fit the 'official target' either. For nearly two years I had frequent infections (excacerbations) involving many anti-biotics and steroids but since discovering carbocysteine, postural drainage exercises and using Azythromycin daily I have got rid of the bugs and have not had an infection for two years.

Will probably give it a go for a month or two and see if it helps.

By the way, I too had trouble with my sinuses for most of my life. I have no problem with these now since using Neilmed sinus wash - carbocysteine probably helped with this too.

Best wishes.

[yorkie70]

Hi BellaBea, the brand names for Roflumilast are Daxas and Daliresp. I take 1/2 of a 500 mcg tablet every other day as prescribed by my Dr. I have not had any side effects so far.

Breath easy exercise often.

Cheers Dave from the LoS.

[rudmandjnanny in reply to yorkie70]

so have I no side affects so far i think it does curb appetite.

[BelleBea in reply to rudmandjnanny]

Ah, but does it help your breathing?

[BelleBea in reply to yorkie70]

Thanks for your reply Yorkie. Have you found any improvement in your condition since taking Roflumilast?

Am seriously considering giving it a go.

[yorkie70 in reply to BelleBea]

Hi BelleBea, The Doc put me on Daxas as I had a bad run of infections. I have been taking it for about 4 months and no sign of problems.

Cheers. Dave. from the LoS.