Trial of Roflumilast in Asthma Management (TRIM)

Inclusion Criteria: * Physician diagnosis of asthma on regular prescribed controller therapy for at least 3 months * Previous (within five years) evidence of at least a 12% increase in forced expiratory volume at one second FEV1 after inhaling 2-4 puffs of albuterol or a positive methacholine challenge or patient reported history of improvement of asthma exacerbation after a course of systemic or inhaled corticosteroids * Age: ≥18 years of age * Obese: Body Mass Index (BMI) \> 30 kg/m2 * Poorly controlled asthma: Asthma Control Test (ACT) Score \< 20, or use of rescue inhaler, on an average of\> 2 uses/week for preceding month, or nocturnal asthma awakening, on an average of 1 or more times / week in preceding month, or emergency department (ED)/hospital visit or prednisone course for asthma in past six months. * Ability and willingness to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Participation in an investigational study within the past 4 weeks * Physician diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease * Any condition that puts the participant at risk from weight loss as judged by the site physician * Liver cirrhosis * Major psychiatric disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, history of suicidal ideation/ attempt, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective, substance abuse or other disorders that in the opinion of the study physician that would affect study participation * \> 0 time use of illicit drugs in the past 12 months * \> 0 time use of cannabis in the past 12 months * Uncontrolled depression as defined by a score of 15 or greater on the depression questions of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) * Suicidal ideation (a score of greater than 0 on Question 9 on the PHQ-9) * Uncontrolled anxiety as defined by a score of 10 or greater on the anxiety questions of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) * Pregnancy/lactation * Females of childbearing age who do not agree to practice an adequate birth control method (abstinence, combination barrier and spermicide, or hormonal) for the duration of the study. * Greater than 20 pack year smoking history, or smoking within the last 6 months. * History of bariatric surgery * Drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 (rifampicin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin, erythromycin, ketoconazole, cimetidine, fluvoxamine, enoxacin, oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol with gestodene). * Currently on roflumilast or theophylline (patient may wash out of these medications for 4 weeks prior to visit 1) * Intention to move out of area within the next 6 months