Adding Spiriva Respimat effective for uncontrolled asthma, regardless of allergy subtype

Spiriva Respimat shown effective in the broad range of asthma patients studied who continued to experience symptoms despite taking other asthma maintenance therapies.

These analyses evaluated the safety and efficacy of adding Spiriva Respimat to other maintenance therapies compared to placebo across the broad range of asthma patients studied, regardless of immunoglobulin E (IgE) or eosinophil levels.

The addition of Spiriva respimat significantly improved lung function. Adding Spiriva Respimat also was shown to improve asthma symptom control, as measured by the seven question Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ-7) and reduce the risk of asthma worsening and exacerbations. The ACQ-7 results in the pooled analysis did not distinguish among the treatment arms.

"The data confirm that adding Spiriva Respimat is a well-tolerated and effective treatment option for asthma patients independent of allergic subtype," said Mark Vandewalker, director, Clinical Research of the Ozarks, Columbia, Missouri. "For people with allergic asthma who are still experiencing symptoms, adding Spiriva Respimat may help open airways to improve breathing."

People living with allergic asthma — the most common form of the condition — experience inflammation and a tightening of the airways due to exposure to common allergens. These patients may need other inhaled options that complement their existing therapy.

Spiriva Respimat is steroid-free and works differently than other therapies. When asthma symptoms persist despite taking other maintenance therapies, adding Spiriva Respimat may help people breathe better by opening constricted airways.

Spiriva Respimat is the first new class of inhaled medicine approved in over 10 years for asthma. The FDA approved a once-daily dose of Spiriva Respimat 2.5 µg (delivered in 2 puffs of 1.25 µg each) for the long-term maintenance treatment of asthma in people ages 12 and older. Spiriva Respimat is not a treatment for sudden asthma symptoms. In the treatment of asthma, the maximum benefits in lung function may take up to 4 to 8 weeks of dosing.

"Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to pursuing scientific research to help address unmet needs and improve patient care for people living with asthma," said Danny McBryan, vice president, Clinical Development & Medical Affairs, Respiratory, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "These data further demonstrate the benefits of Spiriva Respimat for the broad range of asthma patients studied who continued to experience symptoms despite taking other maintenance therapies, regardless of allergy subtype."