NEWS - FDA finds no increased stroke risk with Spiriva

[Guest guest]

FDA Finds No Increased Stroke Risk With Spiriva

Wall Street Journal

JANUARY 14, 2010, 3:16 P.M. ET.

By JENNIFER CORBETT DOOREN

The Food and Drug Administration wrapped up a safety review of the

lung drug Spiriva HandiHaler, saying the product wasn't associated

with an increased risk of stroke or other cardiovascular problems.

Spiriva is approved to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,

which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The product is a

maintenance therapy designed to keep airways open.

In 2008, the agency started a safety review of Spiriva, co-marketed by

Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH and Pfizer Inc. after receiving information

from clinical studies that suggested the product might be associated

with a higher risk of stroke. The agency was also looking at whether

the drug caused an increase in heart attacks and deaths from

cardiovascular causes.

*****************************************

Read the rest of the article here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704363504575003272714351164.html?m\

od=googlenews_wsj

Not an MD