Dual long-acting bronchodilators ‘preferable’ to ICS–LABA therapy in COPD

US doctors found a 20% lower rate of first pneumonia hospitalisations with LAMA–LABA therapy compared with ICS–LABA therapy.

Combination inhalers with two long-acting bronchodilators should be the preferred treatment option for patients with COPD, suggest results from a large US study.

Researchers say dual therapy with a long-acting muscarinic agonist (LAMA) and LABA leads to superior clinical outcomes compared with combined ICS and LABA.