Boehringer Inhaler May Raise Stroke Risk
Boehringer Ingelheim, a German based pharmaceutical manufacturer, has advised the FDA that patients using its respiratory inhaler may face a greater risk of stroke. The inhaler device is approved to treat chronic obstructive lung disease, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
The FDA confirmed today that data provided to it by Boehringer does support such a finding. Though a conclusion has not been reached as to the exact quantitative measure of the increased risk of stroke, data compiled within 29 studies reflect increased risk to patients using its Spiriva Handihaler.
According to the company’s analysis, two out of every 1,000 patients using Spiriva are at risk for stroke. However, the validity of this representation remains to be seen. Boehringer jointly markets the Spiriva inhaler with another pharmaceutical manufacturer Pfizer Inc.