Respiratory Treatments

Chronic Pulmonary Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a disease of the lungs that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema or both.  COPD is characterised by obstruction to airflow that interferes with normal breathing. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) estimates that nearly 27 million people in the United States are affected by COPD.

According to the NHLBI, long-term exposure to lung irritants that damage the lungs and the airways are usually the cause of COPD.  In the US, the most common irritant that causes COPD is cigarette smoke.  Breathing in second hand smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes or dust from the environment or workplace (e.g., coal mines) also can contribute to COPD. Most people who have COPD are at least 40 years old when symptoms begin.

[1] National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institution, 2012 Chart Book on Cardiovascular, Lung, and Blood Diseases, February 2012.

Alerts

Picture
FDA Approves Incruse Ellipta for COPD
05/02/2014

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) announced that it has received approval from the FDA for Incruse(™) Ellipta® (umeclidinium) as a long-term once-daily treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema.  Incruse Ellipta is GSK's first mono therapy in the anticholinergic class.  The drug had already been approved in Canada and Europe.  The approved dose is 62.5 ug to be delivered through the Ellipta® inhaler.  GSK warns that Incruse Ellipta should not be used in patients with hypersensitivity to milk proteins, asthma or with severe cardiovascular disorders and advised against using the drug for the treatment of acute episodes of bronchospasm.  In addition, the drug  should be used with caution in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma or urinary retention.  The most common adverse reactions are nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, cough, and arthralgia.

[1] GSK receives approval for Incruse(™) Ellipta® (umeclidinium) in the US for the treatment of COPD
If you have experienced adverse events or side effects from a respiratory therapy find help here.

Read More About