Tiotropium as Asthma Add-On Treatment Shows Promise

Boehringer Ingelheim has announced positive results from several Phase 3 studies analyzing once-daily tiotropium (Spiriva; Boehringer Ingelheim) delivered via the Respimat inhaler as an add-on treatment for patients with varying severities of asthma who remain symptomatic with current therapies. Tiotropium is currently indicated for bronchospasms due to COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

The Phase 3 GraziaTinA-asthma study demonstrated that use of the tiotropium Respimat inhaler improved lung function among patients with mild asthma who remain symptomatic while receiving low-dose maintenance inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) therapy. In the Phase 3 MezzoTinA-asthma trials, adding once-daily tiotropium for the treatment of patients with moderate asthma who remain symptomatic while receiving medium-dose maintenance ICS therapy reduced airflow obstruction. This was found to be independent of allergic status. Lastly, the Phase 3 PrimoTinA-asthma trials showed improved lung function responses independent of concurrent use of a leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) with use of once-daily tiotropium in patients with severe asthma. 

Safety and efficacy have not yet been fully established with tiotropium as a treatment for asthma.

For more information call (800) 542-6257 or visit Boehringer-Ingelheim.com.