Boehringer Ingelheim's Spiriva Respimat approved for COPD treatment

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. — Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals announced that the Food and Drug Administration approved Spiriva Respimat (tiotropium bromide) inhalation spray as a treatment for bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The company anticipates the spray to be available in January 2015. 

 

Spiriva Respimat provides the user with a pre-measured amount of medication in a slow-moving mist, helping patients to inhale the medicine. It was developed to deliver medication in a way that doesn't depend on how fast air is taken in from the inhaler. 

 

"Spiriva Respimat offers a new choice between a mist and dry powder inhaler for tiotropium," said Sabine Luik, M.D., SVP, medicine and regulatory affairs, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals. "Already approved in 85 countries around the world, Spiriva Respimat reflects our scientific heritage as an industry leader in discovering and developing new treatment options for the COPD community."