β2-adrenoceptor agonists: current and future direction

Despite the passionate debate over the use of β 2- adrenoceptor agonists in the treatment of airway disorders, these agents are still central in the symptomatic management of asthma and COPD. A variety of β 2-adrenoceptor agonists with long half-lives, also called ultra long-acting β 2-adrenoceptor agonists (ultra-LABAs; indacaterol, olodaterol, vilanterol, carmoterol, LAS100977 and PF-610355) are currently under development with the hopes of achieving once-daily dosing. It is likely that the once-daily dosing of a bronchodilator would be a significant convenience and probably a compliance-enhancing advantage, leading to improved overall clinical outcomes. As combination therapy with an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and a LABA is important for treating patients suffering from asthma, and a combination with an inhaled long-acting antimuscarinic agent (LAMA) is important for treating COPD patients whose conditions are not sufficiently controlled by monotherapy with a β 2-adrenoceptor agonist, some novel once-daily combinations of LABAs and ICSs or LAMAs are under development. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed issue on Respiratory Pharmacology. © 2011 The British Pharmacological Society.