Roflumilast
About Roflumilast
Roflumilast is a respiratory medicine that belongs to the class of 'phosphodiesterase inhibitors' primarily used to manage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a group of progressive lung diseases. It is a long-term condition which makes you hard to take breathe. People with COPD have emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Emphysema destroys air sacs in the lungs, which interferes with the movement of outward airflow. Bronchitis allows mucus to build up in the bronchial tubes by causing inflammation and narrowing of the tubes.
Roflumilast contains Roflumilast, which helps in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Roflumilast works by relaxing the airway in the lungs and making it easier to breathe. In addition to this, Roflumilast also helps treat the symptoms. It is generally a long-term treatment.
Take Roflumilast with or without food or as directed by your doctor. It should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, bite, or break it. Your doctor will advise you how often you take your tablets based on your medical condition. You may experience diarrhoea, nausea, stomach ache, weight decrease and headache in some cases. Most of these side effects of Roflumilast do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Try not to stop taking this medicine on your own. Do not stop taking Roflumilast despite symptomatic relief. Treat your condition effectually, continue taking Roflumilast for as long as it has been prescribed for you. Do not take this medicine if you have any moderate or severe liver problems. Consult your doctor before taking Roflumilast if you are a pregnant or breastfeeding woman. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Roflumilast. Roflumilast is not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
Uses of Roflumilast
Medicinal Benefits
Roflumilast contains Roflumilast, which helps in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Roflumilast works by relaxing the airway in the lungs and making it easier to breathe. In addition to this, roflumilast also helps treat the symptoms. It is generally a long-term treatment.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Roflumilast
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Stomach ache
- Weight loss
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
Drug Warnings
Do not use Roflumilast in more than the prescribed doses, leading to severe heart or lung problems. After taking Roflumilast, if you experience irregular heartbeats, leg cramps, muscle weakness, numbness or tingling, or suicidal thinking and behaviour, please consult a doctor immediately. If you have cancer, heart disease, depression, inform your doctor before taking Roflumilast. This medicine is recommended for use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age. Before taking Roflumilast, inform your doctor if you are already on medications like theophylline, oral corticosteroids, methotrexate, enoxacin or cimetidine.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Roflumilast interacts with medicine used to treat allergic disorders (methylprednisolone), a drug used to treat asthma (budesonide/formoterol), drugs used to treat seizures (carbamazepine, phenytoin)
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Roflumilast as it could lead to increased dizziness.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Roflumilast should be taken with caution if you have a hepatic impairment, depression and weight loss.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionThe interaction of Roflumilast with alcohol is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol with Roflumilast.
Pregnancy
cautionThe safety of Roflumilast in pregnant women is unknown and is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is unknown whether Roflumilast is excreted in human milk. It is given to breastfeeding mothers only if the doctor thinks benefits are greater than risks.
Driving
unsafeRoflumilast may cause blurred vision or dizziness in some people. Therefore, avoid driving if you notice any changes in vision or feel dizzy after taking Roflumilast.
Liver
cautionDo not take Roflumilast if you have moderate or severe liver problems. Roflumilast should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Roflumilast may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Kidney
safe if prescribedIf you have any concerns regarding the use of Roflumilast in patients with kidney problems, please consult a doctor.
Children
unsafeRoflumilast should not be used in children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Smoking should be avoided while taking Roflumilast as it can alter the blood levels of roflumilast, which may affect the dosing.
- It is essential to maintain hygiene like washing hands after coming from outside, as people with asthma/COPD are at a greater risk of infections.
- Stay active and do regular exercise to improve quality of life and increase tolerance to shortness of breath.
- Shortness of breath can be eased by doing pursed-lip breathing exercises. In this, relax your neck and shoulder muscles, breathe in with your nose for two seconds and breathe out through pursed lips for four seconds. Such exercises will help you to improve your breath.
- Eat foods rich in potassium such as tomatoes, bananas, asparagus, oranges, potatoes, avocados, dark leafy greens and beetroots as potassium is important for lung function and a potassium deficiency may cause breathing problems.
- Drink plenty of fluids every day to thin mucus which makes it easier to cough out.
- Maintain a diet that includes complex carbohydrates such as lentils, beans, barley, oats, quinoa, bran, peas and potatoes with skin.
- Limit or avoid the intake of caffeinated drinks such as tea, coffee, soda and energy drinks.
- Eat protein-rich foods such as meat, fish (particularly salmon, sardines, and mackerel), eggs and poultry.
- Exercise regularly to strengthen your breathing muscles and boost your immune system. Learning breathing exercises will help you move more air in and out of your lungs.
- Stop smoking as it can reduce the efficacy of the Roflumilast and irritate the lungs and make breathing problems worse.
Special Advise
- Check your weight regularly while taking this medication. Tell your doctor right away of any unusual or extreme weight loss.
- Roflumilast is not a bronchodilator and is not indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm. Always carry a rescue inhaler.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
COPD: It is a group of progressive lung diseases, most commonly emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation and irritation of bronchial tubes). Initially, it may be mild, but it can lead to total blockage of airways and damage the lungs in severe cases. The major cause of COPD is smoking tobacco and exposure to air pollutants like asbestos and chemicals/fumes. Also, long-term exposure to fumes and chemicals may lead to COPD. The symptoms include chronic cough, shortness of breath or wheezing (whistle sound while breathing).
FAQs
No, it is a prescribed drug, given by a physician for preventing specific medical conditions. Taking it on your own can cause unwanted side-effects.
Please take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
It is essential to let your doctor know if you have any history of liver disease, cancer, heart disease, current/past infections, mental/mood disorders (depression, thoughts of suicide), unexplained/extreme weight loss, immune system disorders.
No, you are not recommended to stop taking Roflumilast without consulting your doctor as it may worsen the condition or cause recurring symptoms. Therefore, take Roflumilast for as long as your doctor has prescribed it, and if you experience any difficulty while taking Roflumilast, please consult your doctor.
No, Roflumilast does not relieve sudden symptoms such as shortness of breath. Therefore, it is advised to carry a rescue inhaler always to treat sudden symptoms.
