Beta-Blockers for COPD Study

STUDY BASICS

Have you been diagnosed with COPD? Are you a current or former smoker between ages 40-85? If so, you may be able to take part in a research study to determine if an investigational drug called metoprolol can help reduce the risk of flare-ups in patients diagnosed with COPD. Compensation provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. A COPD exacerbation, or flare-up, occurs when shortness of breath suddenly gets much worse. While flare-ups can range from mild to life-threatening, they typically become more and more severe the longer a person has COPD. The purpose of this study is to help researchers find out if a drug called metoprolol can reduce the risk of flare-ups in patients with COPD. Metoprolol is a beta-blocker, a type of drug used to treat many heart and blood vessel problems like high blood pressure, heart failure, coronary artery disease, and others. Metroprolol has not been approved for use in people with COPD, so it is considered investigational in this study. Researchers hope their findings will lead to better treatments for patients with COPD in the future.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Ages 40-85
• Diagnosed with COPD
• Current or former smokers (10 pack-year history or more)
• At least one of the following applies: - Prescribed corticosteroids or antibiotics for respiratory problems within the past year - Visited an emergency department or were hospitalized for a COPD flare-up within the past year - Using or prescribed supplemental oxygen for 12 or more hours per day

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

People who are eligible to participate in the study will be assigned by random (like the flip of a coin) to take either metoprolol (the study drug) or a placebo (a pill that looks like the study drug but contains no active ingredients) once a day for 1 year. Participation also involves a total of 10 study visits over 1 year. During these visits, you may undergo a physical exam, blood draw, questionnaires, lung function tests, electrocardiogram to measure the electrical activity of your heart, and 6-minute walk test.