In a new Cornell and Stanford Universities statistical analysis comparing two common inhalers in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients found that common bronchodilators known as anticholinergics (generically named tiotropium and ipratropium) reduced severe respiratory events by 33 percent and respiratory-related deaths by 73 percent, compared with a placebo. As opposed to the regularly inhaled beta-agonists (metaproterenol [Alupent], formoterol [Foradil], salmeterol [Serevent, Advair] and albuterol [Proventil, Ventolin, Volmax and others]) increased the risk of respiratory death more than twofold, compared with a placebo. "These results suggest that anticholinergics should be the bronchodilator of choice in COPD," said Shelley Salpeter, M.D., Edwin Salpeter's daughter and the lead author. She is a clinical professor of medicine at Stanford's School of Medicine and a physician at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, Calif.
"The long-term safety of beta-agonists in patients with COPD should be addressed."
However, the inhaled beta-agonists are more commonly prescribed in COPD patients.
COPD is a progressive lung disease characterized by difficult breathing, wheezing and a chronic cough. This disease is usually associated with smoking with complications that include bronchitis and pneumonia.
The study comparing the two inhalers: anticholinergics and beta-agonists will be published in an upcoming issue of the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
Source: Science Daily
Photo Credit: UPHS
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