Cilomilast is a drug which was developed for the treatment of respiratory disorders such as asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It is orally active and acts as a selective Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor. Phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors, such as theophylline, have been used to treat Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) for centuries; however, the clinical benefits of these agents have never been shown to out-weigh the risks of their numerous adverse effects. Four clinical trials were identified evaluating the efficacy of cilomilast, the usual randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled protocols were used. It showed reasonable efficacy for treating COPD, but side effects were problematic and it is unclear whether cilomalast will be marketed, or merely used in the development of newer drugs.
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