Following the US Food and Drug Administration‘s final approval of Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.‘s STIOLTO™ RESPIMAT® (tiotropium bromide and olodaterol) Inhalation Spray in May 2015, the company recently announced that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can now benefit from the novel spray through a doctor’s prescription in all pharmacies nationwide. STIOLTO RESPIMAT is FDA-approved as a long-term, once-daily maintenance treatment for COPD, and should not be used by patients with asthma or acute deterioration of COPD. It is currently the only inhaler that can effectively deliver a slow-moving mist of medication without requiring inspiratory effort from the patient.

Boehringer’s Senior Vice President of Marketing, Kathleen M. Dowd, said, “For more than 40 years, Boehringer Ingelheim has been an industry leader in the discovery and development of new treatment options for the COPD community. In fact, we began our scientific research of COPD when there were no available options, and now offer six therapies for people living with this chronic disease. We are proud to offer patients STIOLTO RESPIMAT, which has proven to be more effective in improving lung function than either tiotropium or olodaterol alone, with a comparable safety profile.”

Tiotropium bromide and olodaterol — the generic terminology for the brand-name Stiolto Respimat, is a prescription medicine used long term, delivered through two puffs once each day. Therapy helps in controlling symptoms in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The drug contains the anticholinergic, tiotropium, and the long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (LABA), olodaterol. STIOLTO works by helping the muscles around the airways remain relaxed to prevent symptoms, such as wheezing, cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

Those interested in STIOLTO RESPIMAT can also take advantage of a savings card that will give patients 12 months of free purchases of the therapy, in accordance with their insurance provider. Boehringer’s savings card can be found in the product’s patient brochure, and on its official website at www.STIOLTO.com.

COPD is a lifelong, debilitating respiratory disease, and Boehringer Ingelheim is determined to help patients through the Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program. Through this range of philanthropic programs, the company is able to provide much-needed financial assistance to patients assessed to be unable to afford their products. To learn more about these programs, visit www.bipatientassistance.com or call 1-800-556-8317.