Brovana (nebulized arformoterol) for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

This is a PI-initiated study taking place only at UCLA, sponsored by Sunovion. The investigators plan to enroll about 20 subjects who are at least 40 years old and have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of Brovana and Serevent in helping relieve COPD symptoms. Specifically, the investigators are looking at how much and for how long the two drugs can open up the small airways in the lungs. This will be done with breathing tests on all subjects, and with high resolution CT scans on subjects who agree to this optional part of the study. Half of subjects will take Brovana (arformoterol tartrate inhalation solution) for 2 weeks and then Serevent (salmeterol xinafoate inhalation powder) for 2 weeks; the other half will take Serevent the first two weeks and Brovana the second two weeks. All subjects will also take Spiriva (tiotropium) and will be provided with albuterol for immediate relief of symptoms. After a Screening Visit to determine eligibility, subjects will be randomly assigned to receive Brovana or Serevent for the first 2 weeks, complete Test Visit 1, then receive the other study drug for 2 weeks, and finally complete Test Visit 2. Visits will include questionnaires, review of health and medications, and breathing tests before and after taking the study drug. Subjects who agree to be in the sub-study will also undergo CT scans before and after taking the study drug at both test visits.