Spiriva (tiotropium bromide) is an inhaled medication used to prevent exacerbations (”attacks”) caused by COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It’s taken once per day. There were concerns a while ago about a possible connection between using Spiriva and experiencing a higher risk of stroke and/or heart attacks.
Courtesy of Pfizer Inc.
When this concern was raised, the FDA investigated and has come to the conclusion that this is not an issue with the medication. The FDA came to this conclusion when it and the FDA Pulmonary – Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee reviewed a 4-year study involving 5,992 patients.
According to the findings,
there was no significant increase in the risk of stroke [0.95 (95% CI 0.70, 1.29)], heart attack [0.73 (95% CI 0.53, 1.00)], or cardiovascular death [0.73 (95% CI 0.56, 0.96)] between Spiriva HandiHaler and placebo.
For this reason, the FDA said that doctors may prescribe the medications according to the label instructions.
As with all medications, it is important that those who are taking Spiriva understand what the medication is for and what it does. Spiriva is not a rescue medication, one that you take when you are having difficulty breathing, such as Ventolin (salbutamol). It is considered a maintenance medication, one that you take every day to reduce the risk of needing a rescue medication.
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Image: Pfizer
Post from: Blisstree