COPD Mist Inhalers Safety Concerns

Possible higher tiotropiam amounts may be increasing death risk

New research conducted by John Hopkins University School of Medicine, advocates that people who use a mist inhaler to deliver a widely prescribed medication to treat COPD may be at a 52% greater risk for death. This medication is used in more than 55 countries.

These new findings are raising concerns not only about the mist inhaler device but also about the medication itself. This mist inhaler has not been granted regulatory as of yet in the United States however, the medication is in its power form is commonly used here.

Dr. Sonal Singh, M.D., M.P.H., assistant professor of general medicine at John Hopkins and the studies lead author remarks that researchers believe that the mist inhaler is delivering higher levels of triotropiam than it should and possibly increasing the risk for death. The increased deaths associated to the inhaler are mainly from cardiovascular disease. Triotropiam is in a class of drugs called Anticholinergics, which increase the risk of arrhythmias especially in those who have existing heart conditions.

Throughout the world including the United States this medication is available in powder form and is sold under the name Sprivia.

Dr. Singh and his associates from the United States and United Kingdom had reviewed and examined published findings comparing treatment with the mist inhaler containing tricotropiam and a mist inhaler with a placebo. Researchers examined five randomized controlled trials which had included information on greater than 6,500 participants. The drug and placebo had been delivered with Respimat Soft Mist Inhaler. The findings had revealed a 52% increased risk of death among those who had used the inhaler with tricotropiam in comparison to the inhaler with the placebo. Dr. Singh had noted his research had shown one excess death due to the mist inhaler for every 124 patients with COPD treated for one year.

What worries Dr. Singh is that the participants who were assigned to use the mist inhaler had not been totally informed about what may be serious safety issues concerning the device.

Dr. Singh does stress that this study only focused on tricotropiam delivery through mist inhaler. These findings also bring up serious questions about if the drug tricotropiam itself and the class of inhaled anticholinergics in general are safe for COPD patients.

Shortness of breath which is caused by COPD can be treated with other long acting bronchodilators, especially for patients with known heart problems. Dr. Singh suggests that patients discuss the risks and benefits of COPD treatments with their practitioners.

Currently, New Zealand has a warning about a possible association between cardiovascular death and the mist inhaler which is included in the package insert for the device. In the United Kingdom health officials are recommending caution in prescribing the mist inhalers to patients with arrhythmias.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects between 15 and 30 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death

Today more people are turning to the use of alternative therapies to help them manage their conditions. There are several alternative therapies in which can help with COPD. These therapies should be used in combination with current treatment. As always you should inform your health care practitioner if you are using or intend to use any new treatment approaches. Here are just a few which are used to help manage COPD.

Chiropractic

Chiropractic cares can aide persons who endure COPD. A study in the American Osteopathic Association had found reductions of severe symptoms of COPD who had undergone spinal manipulations by a doctor of chiropractic.

At the 23rd Annual of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, researchers from McMaster University in Canada had conducted a case control study of 149 COPD patients and 145 aged and sexed controlled patients who did not have COPD or asthma. All patients had chest x-rays and had been admitted to the hospital within the last twelve months.

Breathing is associated to spinal health and chiropractic care becomes a valuable asset.

In case published a 53 year old male with a 20 year history of COPD had shown remarked results after starting chiropractic care. After fourteen moths of care he could forcibly exhale one complete breath and the amount of air which he could move in the first second of the complete breath had improved substantially. This was just one part of going literature that demonstrating that improved lung volumes often go along with good spinal health through chiropractic care.

Yoga

Not only has yoga demonstrated it could have the ability to help those with irregular heart beats but the practice of pranayama has been shown to be effective in those with COPD. It teaches those with COPD how to breathe deeper to expand their lungs.

Reflexology

In 2006 a small study at St. George’s Hospital in London, had examined the effects of reflexology on 14 COPD patients with moderate to severe ratings. Patients who had reflexology sessions at 50 minutes four times a week for four weeks noted they had felt benefits from the session. The study did not show any major results. However, it was revealed that there are numerous possible benefits for patients with COPD having reflexology treatments. A longer period of study is required to examine reflexology in affecting sleep patterns, breathing and ability to cope with life.