Americans living with asthma have a new option for the long-term maintenance of their condition since the arrival of Spiriva Respimat in the United States.
The prescription-only treatment is a product of German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim. Spiriva Respimat is a long-acting, inhaled medication. It is a once-daily therapy indicated for use by patients 12 and older.
“Despite taking other daily maintenance treatments, many people with asthma continue to experience symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath,” Dr. Michael Foggs, chief of allergy and immunology for Chicago's Advocate Medical Group, said. “For these patients, adding Spiriva Respimat to maintenance controller therapy may help open airways to improve breathing and reduce the likelihood of asthma flare-ups or exacerbations.”
Spiriva Respimat delivers a mist that is inhaled deeply into the patient's lungs.
“Spiriva Respimat is a new treatment option for asthma patients who remain symptomatic despite their maintenance treatment,” Dr. William Mezzanotte, head of respiratory medicine for Boehringer Ingelheim, said. “(It) significantly improves lung function and reduces the risk of exacerbations in patients who remain symptomatic despite their maintenance treatment and is included in the 2015 GINA Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention.”
