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Press Release
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Tiotropium Bromide Inhalation Powder is a Recommended Treatment Option in New ATS COPD Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines
ORLANDO, Fla. (May 27, 2004) - The use of tiotropium bromide inhalation powder is recommended by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) in its new guidelines on the diagnosis and management of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) issued yesterday.
The main goals of the updated ATS guidelines are to improve the quality of care provided to patients with COPD and to develop the guidelines using a disease-oriented approach.1 The evidence-based guidelines are sponsored by the ATS and European Respiratory Society (ERS).
The Global Initiative of Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) disseminated their updated guidelines in August 2003 in which tiotropium was mentioned as a first-line maintenance treatment for COPD.
Tiotropium bromide inhalation powder is being co-promoted by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Pfizer Inc in the U.S
Tiotropium bromide inhalation powder is indicated for the long-term, once-daily, maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Tiotropium bromide inhalation powder is not indicated for rescue therapy and is contraindicated in patients with a history with hypersensitivity to atropine or its derivates or to any component of this product. The most common adverse reaction was dry mouth, which was usually mild and often resolved during treatment.2
COPD
COPD is a slowly progressive disease of the airways that is characterized by a loss of lung function over time.3 The signs and symptoms patients may experience are chronic cough, excess mucus production, wheezing and shortness of breath after mild exertion.
About Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., based in Ridgefield, CT, is the largest U.S. subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation (Ridgefield, CT) and a member of the Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies. The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 152 affiliates in 45 countries and more than 34,000 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel products of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.
In 2003, Boehringer Ingelheim posted net sales of US $8.37 billion (7.4 billion euro) while spending more than one fifth of net sales in its largest business segment, Prescription Medicines, on research and development.
About Pfizer Inc.
Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures and markets leading prescription medicines for humans and animals and many of the world's best-known consumer brands.
FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION AVAILABLE BY REQUEST
Contacts:
Lara Crissey
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
900 Ridgebury Road
Ridgefield, CT 06877
Phone: (203) 798-4740
Fax: (203) 791-6442
lcrissey@rdg.boehringer-ingelheim.com
Pfizer Inc
Mariann Caprino
Phone: 212-733-4554 / 212-733-8734
mariann.caprino@pfizer.com
References:
- Eur Respir J 2004; 23: 933
- Spiriva® HandiHaler® (tiotropium bromide inhalation powder) Prescribing Information. Boehringer Ingelheim and Pfizer 2004. Available at www.spiriva.com
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Data Fact Sheet: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).