New fixed combinations in the therapy of bronchial asthma - Atectura(R) and Enerzair(R) in Breezhaler(R) powder inhaler
Abstract
Recently, in the spring of 2020, two inhaled medicinal products, fixed drug combinations for the treatment of bronchial asthma, were registered by the European Medicines Agency. Atectura (R) Breezhaler (R) contains a fixed dual combination of indacaterol / mometasone furoate.
Enerzair (R) Breezhaler (R) consists of a fixed combination of three active substances - indacaterol, glycopyrronium and mometasone furoate. The marketing authorization holder is Novartis Pharmaceutical Company.
The therapeutic combinations are contained in capsules which are administered once a day using a Breezhaler (R) powder inhaler. Atectura (R) Breezhaler (R) is indicated as maintenance treatment for asthma in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age, in whom therapy with inhaled corticosteroids and short-acting β2 adrenergic agonists has not resulted in adequate control of asthma.
Enerzair (R) Breezhaler (R) aims for more severe asthmatics. The drug is indicated as maintenance treatment of asthma in adult patients who are not adequately controlled on a maintenance combination of a long-acting β2 adrenergic agonist / high dose inhaled corticosteroid and who have experienced one or more asthma exacerbations in the previous year.
This is the very first fixed triple combination in the inhalation system for the treatment of bronchial asthma. According to current studies, the combination of therapeutic molecules in both products appears to be a promising approach in the asthma treatment portfolio.