According to study results published in the NEJM, the addition of Pfizer's Spiriva (tiotropium) to standard therapy improves symptoms in patients whose asthma is poorly controlled and gives them more days without breathing problems. The data showed that Spiriva worked at least as well as GlaxoSmithKline's Serevent (salmeterol) and better than doubling the steroid dose. Spiriva, which is co-marketed with Boehringer Ingelheim, is already used for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Reference Articles
Pfizer's Spiriva enhances asthma treatment - study - (CNBC)
Tiotropium bromide step-up therapy for adults with uncontrolled asthma - (NEJM)
Spiriva as good as Serevent in asthma study - (The Oakland Tribune)
Early trial suggests COPD drug might help some asthmatics - (Yahoo!News)
**Published in "First Word"