COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is characterised by persistent airflow obstruction caused by exposure to irritants including cigarette smoke dust, and fumes. Long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) and long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) in fixed-dose combination inhalers are the pillars of modern COPD therapy. LABA/inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) inhalers have been proved to be particularly efficient in patients with ≥ 2 exacerbations per year. Until recently, although recommended in guidelines for severe and unstable COPD patients, the clinical usefulness of the LABA/LAMA/ICS combination was a matter of debate. Recent trials with fixed-dose combination inhalers containing fluticasonfuroate/vilanterol/umeclidinium or beclometasone/formoterol/glycopyrronium significantly reduced exacerbation rates and dyspnea scores and improved lung function as well as quality of life better than the LABA/ICS, LABA/LAMA comparators or the single compounds in selected COPD trial patients. Beclometasone/formoterol/glycolpyrronium and fluticasonfuroate/umeclidinium/vilanterol are the first triple combination therapies approved in a fixed-dose inhaler for COPD patients. The domains of triple fixed-dose formulations are COPD patients in groups C and D.
