[Pulmonary medicine. Two new drugs for the treatment of COPD].

Roflumilast is a new anti-inflammatory drug for the treatment of COPD. Studies have reported modest, but significant increase of FEV1 with roflumilast, as well as decreased rate of exacerbations. Its use is limited by drug-related nausea and weight lost occurring in some patients. Currently it is only available in Germany. Indacaterol is a new beta-2-adrenergic bronchodilator that needs only one inhalation per day. Studies with indacaterol report a good therapeutic window and the preparation is available in Switzerland. There is no reason that prevents prescription of indacaterol together with tiotropium, a once-a-day anti-cholinergic bronchodilator. However, no studies have specifically evaluated the combination of indacaterol and tiotropium in COPD.