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roflumilast
Used for COPD
Used for COPD
Roflumilast (Daliresp) is an oral medication that's used as maintenance treatment in people with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It helps lower the risk for COPD flare-ups. This medication belongs to the drug class called phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitors. Roflumilast (Daliresp) is a tablet that's taken by mouth once per day. Side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and weight loss. This medication has a brand-name and generic version available.
What is Roflumilast (Daliresp)?
What is Roflumilast (Daliresp) used for?
- Maintenance treatment for severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
How Roflumilast (Daliresp) works
Roflumilast (Daliresp) is a phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitor. It blocks PDE-4, a protein in your body that's involved in causing inflammation in the lungs and making it difficult for you to breathe. By blocking PDE-4, roflumilast (Daliresp) lessens inflammation and opens up your airways to help you breathe better.
When does Roflumilast (Daliresp) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Daliresp |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | PDE-4 inhibitor |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Roflumilast (Daliresp)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Diarrhea (10%)
- Weight loss (8%)
- Nausea (5%)
- Headache (4%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Back pain
- Difficulty sleeping
- Dizziness
- Loss of appetite
- Upset stomach
- Runny nose
- Sinus inflammation
- Flu-like symptoms
- Muscle spasm
- Tremor
- Anxiety
- Depression
Roflumilast (Daliresp) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
When do Roflumilast (Daliresp) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Diarrhea
Nausea
Headache
Weight loss
The following Roflumilast (Daliresp) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Unexplained weight loss
Less common
Chills
discouragement
fear or nervousness
feeling sad or empty
general feeling of discomfort or illness
headache
irritability
joint pain
loss of appetite
loss of interest or pleasure
muscle aches and pains
shivering
sweating
thoughts of killing oneself or changes in behavior
tiredness
trouble concentrating
trouble sleeping
unable to sleep
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Abdominal or stomach pain
back pain
bladder pain
bloody or cloudy urine
burning feeling in the chest or stomach
decreased appetite
difficult, burning, or painful urination
dizziness
frequent urge to urinate
indigestion
lower back or side pain
pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
shortness of breath or troubled breathing
stomach upset
stuffy or runny nose
sweating
tenderness in the stomach area
tightness of the chest or wheezing
trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$451.96
GoodRx discount
$23.56
Pros and cons of Roflumilast (Daliresp)
Pros
- Lowers your risk of future COPD flare-ups, so you're less likely to have to go to the hospital
- Possible option for people who are already using triple inhaler therapy and are still having COPD flare-ups
- Taken by mouth once a day
Cons
- Only available as a tablet that can't be split or crushed
- Might cause trouble sleeping and mood or behavior changes (e.g., anxiety, depression)
- Not recommended for people for moderate or severe liver problems
Pharmacist tips for Roflumilast (Daliresp)
- Take roflumilast (Daliresp) as prescribed once per day, regardless of what other COPD inhalers you're using. Roflumilast (Daliresp) helps lower the risk of having more COPD flare-ups in the long run.
- Take roflumilast (Daliresp) at any time of day with or without food. It might be helpful to take it with food to help prevent or ease possible diarrhea or nausea from the medication.
- Use your rescue inhaler to relieve any sudden trouble breathing. Roflumilast (Daliresp) isn't meant to be used to quickly relieve symptoms of a COPD flare-up.
- Call your prescriber or pulmonologist if your breathing or peak flow rate worsens. Also contact your prescriber if you're using your rescue inhaler more often than usual. These could be signs that you need more help to manage your COPD.
- It's possible for roflumilast (Daliresp) to cause insomnia (trouble sleeping). If you have trouble sleeping while you're taking the medication, some things you can try to help include taking it earlier during the day and avoiding screen time late at night. You can also talk to your prescriber for other ways to manage this side effect.
- Make sure to eat regularly and follow a nutritious diet while you're taking roflumilast (Daliresp). This medication might lower your appetite and cause weight loss. Check your weight every so often and contact your prescriber if you're noticing concerning weight loss.
- Although rare, some people might have depression or anxiety after they start taking roflumilast (Daliresp). Let your prescriber know if you start feeling depressed or anxious or have concerning changes in mood or behavior while you're taking this medication. All call 911 or get medical help right away if you're having thoughts of harming yourself.
Risks and warnings for Roflumilast (Daliresp)
Roflumilast (Daliresp) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Not for relieving sudden worsening COPD symptoms
Roflumilast (Daliresp) isn't a rescue medication and won't help to treat a COPD exacerbation (when COPD symptoms suddenly get worse, also called a flare-up). It's recommended that you use your rescue inhaler to quickly help you breathe in these situations.
Talk with your prescriber if roflumilast (Daliresp) isn't working well to control your COPD and you're experiencing worsening symptoms, such as coughing and trouble breathing. They can discuss with you about your options to manage your COPD better.
Changes in mood or behavior, including possible suicidal thoughts or behavior
- Risk factors: History of mental health problems
Roflumilast (Daliresp) can raise the risk for changes in mood or behavior, including trouble sleeping, anxiety, and depression. Although rare, some people also had suicidal thoughts or behaviors while they were taking this medication.
Talk to your prescriber before you start roflumilast (Daliresp) if you have a history of having depression, suicidal thoughts, or mental health problems. Your prescriber will discuss with you about the risks and benefits of taking the medication.
It's a good idea to remind your friends and family to look out for you in case you have changes in mood or thoughts while you're taking roflumilast (Daliresp). Contact your prescriber if you start to have unusual changes in mood, thoughts, or behaviors. And call 911 or seek medical attention right away if you're having thoughts of hurting yourself.
Weight loss
Weight loss is a common side effect of roflumilast (Daliresp). In clinical studies, some people lost between 5% to 10% (or even more) of their body weight after they took the medication for a year. Most people gained back this weight after they stopped taking roflumilast (Daliresp).
Make sure to follow a balanced and nutritious diet while you're taking roflumilast (Daliresp). It's recommended that you periodically monitor your weight. Let your prescriber know if you experience significant weight loss that's not due to changes in your diet or exercise routine. You might need to stop taking roflumilast (Daliresp).
Interactions with other medications
Roflumilast (Daliresp) can interact with many other medications. In particular, some medications can lower the amount of roflumilast (Daliresp) in the body so that it doesn't work as well to help manage COPD. Examples of such medications include rifampin, carbamazepine (Tegretol), and phenytoin (Dilantin).
Make sure to tell your care team about all of the over-the-counter and prescription medications you're currently taking. Before you start any new medications, check with a member of your care team to make sure that they're safe to take with roflumilast (Daliresp).
Roflumilast (Daliresp) dosage
The average cost for 30 tablets of 500mcg of Roflumilast (Daliresp) is $23.56 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 94.79% off the average retail price of $451.96.
Interactions between Roflumilast (Daliresp) and other drugs
Roflumilast (Daliresp) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Roflumilast (Daliresp). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Cimetidine
- Enoxacin
- Erythromycin
- Ethinyl Estradiol
- Fluvoxamine
- Gestodene
- Ketoconazole
How much does Roflumilast (Daliresp) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Roflumilast (Daliresp) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Roflumilast (Daliresp) will not be safe for you to take.
- Moderate or severe liver problems
What are alternatives to Roflumilast (Daliresp)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Roflumilast (Daliresp). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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