Roflumilast in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Purpose: The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of roflumilast-the first in a new class of agents for managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-are reviewed.

Summary: Roflumilast (Daliresp, Forest Pharmaceuticals) is an oral phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitor that targets inflammatory cells involved in triggering COPD exacerbations. The only PDE-4 inhibitor approved by the Food and Drug Administration, roflumilast is available in 500-μg tablets to be administered once daily.