What is it and how is it used?
Daliresp contains the active substance roflumilast, which is an anti-inflammatory medicine called phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor. Roflumilast reduces the activity of phosphodiesterase 4, a protein occurring naturally in body cells. When the activity of this protein is reduced, there is less inflammation in the lungs. This helps to stop narrowing of airways occurring in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Thus Daliresp eases breathing problems.
Daliresp is used to treat severe COPD in adults. COPD is a chronic disease of the lungs that results in tightening of the airways (obstruction) and swelling and irritation of the walls of the small air passages (inflammation) leading to symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or difficulty in breathing. Daliresp is to be used in addition to bronchodilators.
What do you have to consider before using it?
Do not take Daliresp
Take special care with Daliresp
Daliresp is not intended for the treatment of a sudden attack of breathlessness (acute bronchospasms). In order to relieve a sudden attack of breathlessness it is very important that your doctor provides you with another medicine to be available to you at all times that can cope with such an attack. Daliresp will not help you in this situation.
You should check your body weight on a regular basis. Talk to your doctor if, while taking this medicine, you observe an unintentional loss of body weight (not related to a diet or exercise programme).
Daliresp is not recommended for patients having severe immunological diseases (such as HIV infection, multiple sclerosis, lupus erythematosus, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, and others), severe acute infectious diseases (such as tuberculosis, or acute hepatitis), cancer (except basal-cell carcinoma, a slow-growing type of skin cancer), or severe impairment of the heart function, due to lack of relevant experience with Daliresp under these conditions. You should talk to your doctor, if you are diagnosed with any of these diseases.
Experience is also limited in patients with a previous diagnosis of tuberculosis, viral hepatitis, herpes viral infection or herpes zoster.
You may experience diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain or headache during the first weeks of treatment with Daliresp. Talk to your doctor if these side effects do not resolve within the first weeks of treatment.
You may also experience sleeplessness, anxiety, nervousness, or depressive mood. Before starting treatment with Daliresp, inform your doctor if you are suffering from any symptoms of this kind and of any additional medicinal products you may take since some of those could increase the probability of these side effects. You should also immediately inform your doctor of any suicidal thoughts you may have.
Children
Daliresp should not be used by children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Daliresp may be taken with other medicines used in the treatment of COPD such as inhaled or oral corticosteroids or bronchodilators. Do not stop taking these medicines or reduce their dose unless advised by your doctor.
Please let your doctor know before you start to take Daliresp, if you already take:
The effect of Daliresp may be reduced if taken together with rifampicin (an antibiotic medicine) or with phenobarbital, carbamazepine or phenytoin (medicines usually prescribed for the treatment of epilepsy). Ask your doctor for advice.
Taking Daliresp with food and drink
You may take this medicine with or without food.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Do not take Daliresp if you are or plan to become pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Driving and using machines
Daliresp has no influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Daliresp
Daliresp tablets contain lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
How is it used?
Always take Daliresp exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
The usual dose is one 500 micrograms tablet once daily. Do not take more tablets than your doctor has recommended.
Swallow the tablet with some water. You may take this medicine with or without food. Take the tablet at the same time every day.
You may need to take Daliresp for several weeks to achieve its beneficial effect.
If you take more Daliresp than you should
Tell your doctor or pharmacist straight away. If possible take your medicine and this leaflet with you.
If you forget to take Daliresp
If you forget to take a tablet at the usual time, take the tablet as soon as you remember. If on one day you have forgotten to take a tablet of Daliresp, just carry on the next day with the next tablet as usual. Continue taking your medicine at the usual times. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop taking Daliresp
It is important to continue taking Daliresp for as long as prescribed by your doctor, even when you have no symptoms, in order to maintain control of your lung function.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What are possible side effects?
Like all medicines, Daliresp can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Common side effects
Weight decrease, decreased appetite; sleeplessness; headache; diarrhoea, nausea, stomach ache.
Uncommon side effects
Hypersensitivity (a generalised allergic reaction that may affect the skin, mouth and tongue, possibly leading to difficulties in breathing and/or a drop in blood pressure and accelerated heartbeat); feeling anxious; trembling, sensation of spinning head (vertigo), dizziness; sensation of rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations); gastritis, vomiting, reflux of stomach acid to the gullet (acid regurgitations), indigestion; rash; muscle pain or cramps; back pain; feeling of weakness or tiredness; feeling unwell.
Rare side effects
Male breast enlargement; feeling nervous or depressed; decreased sense of taste; respiratory tract infections (excluding pneumonia); bloody stools, constipation; elevation of liver or muscle enzymes (seen in blood tests); wheals (urticaria).
In the rare case of a severe allergic reaction, stop taking Daliresp and contact your doctor immediately, or go immediately to the emergency department in the nearest hospital. Take your medicine and this leaflet with you to provide full information of your proper treatment. Typical symptoms of a severe allergic reaction are: swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue and/or throat, which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing, hives (nettle rash), severe dizziness with very fast heartbeat and heavy sweating.
In clinical studies, some instances of suicidal thinking and behavior (including suicide) were reported. Please notify your doctor immediately of any suicidal thoughts you may have.
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
How should it be stored?
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not use Daliresp after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and blister after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.