According to the research article, “Inhaled Anticholinergics and Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ” written by Sonal Singh, MD; Yoon K. Loke, MD; and Curt D. Furberg, MD, and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, people using the Spiriva inhaler possibly face the following risks: cardiac death, heart attacks or strokes. Alarmingly, the risks are greater for the Spiriva inhaler users than inhaler users using a placebo or other drugs. This study published in the September 24, 2008 issue of JAMA denotes that although the risks were small, the popular inhalers could lead to potentially life threatening side effects. The German Manufacturer, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc . makes Spiriva Handihaler (tiotropium) and the generic drug for Atrovent, Ipratropium, approved for treating COPD. In the United States, they have a joint marketing partnership with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. In 2004, the inhaler was approved for a daily long-term treatment of bronchospasm, which is linked with COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is important to note that both drugs have been used by approximately 8 million people worldwide. They are both known for helping to open passages and preventing spasms that decrease airways in the lungs to increase effective breathing. The JAMA article details how authors, Sonal Singh, MD; Yoon K. Loke, MD; and Curt D. ...
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