Thank you for the helpful FP Watch article “Less smoke, more fire”1 in the May 2008 issue. I see that the authors mention the budesonide-formoterol 400/12 μg combination inhaler for those with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). I find this interesting on 3 fronts:
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After checking with the 2008 Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties and AstraZeneca, I can confirm that the 400/12 μg dose is not available in Canada.
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While I have found that many of my patients with mild to moderate COPD prefer the budesonide-formoterol combination inhaler, it is not officially indicated for the treatment of COPD in Canada.
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Those with severe COPD are often unable to develop sufficient inspiratory pressure to use the budesonide-formoterol combination inhaler delivery device.
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