Progress in pharmacological and clinical studies of the phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor roflumilast

Roflumilast is a phosphodiesterase-4(PDE4) inhibitor,which has potent anti-inflammatory effects in the pulmonary system.Results from animal experiments and clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of roflumilast in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) as an antiinflammatory agent.Roflumilast is beneficial for maintenance treatment to reduce the risk of COPD exacerbations in severe COPD patients associated with chronic bronchitis and a history of exacerbations.However,more researches are required to further evaluate roflumilast.The mechanism,pharmacodynamics,pharmacokinetics,clinical evaluation,and safety of roflumilast in the treatment of COPD were reviewed.