Stiolto® Respimat and Duaklir® Genuair for COPD

Two new combo inhalers for COPD, Stiolto Respimat^® (in-spee-OHL-toe) and Duaklir Genuair^® (DOO-ak-leer).

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an general term used to describe progressive lung diseases including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. This disease is characterized by increasing breathlessness. COPD is a progressive and (currently) incurable disease, but with the right diagnosis and treatment, there are many things you can do to manage your COPD and breathe better. People can live for many years with COPD and enjoy life.

Signs and Symptoms of COPD

It’s easy to think of shortness of breath and coughing as a normal part of aging, but these could be signs of the disease. That’s why it is important to talk with your healthcare provider as soon as you notice any of these symptoms. COPD can progress for years without noticeable shortness of breath. Ask your healthcare provider about ordering a SPIROMETRY TEST.

Symptoms can be different for each person, but common symptoms are:

• Increased shortness of breath
• Frequent coughing (with and without mucus)
• Increased breathlessness
• Wheezing
• Tightness in the chest

Stiolto ® and Duaklir ® combine a long-acting anticholinergic PLUS a long-acting beta-agonist…similar to Ultibro^c Breezhaler (glycopyrronium/indacaterol) and Anoro^® Ellipta umeclidinium/vilanterol). Both ingredients open your lungs so that you breathe better but work differently!

Stiolto ® Respimat (Inspiolto^®   marketed in Canada, Spiolto ® in Europe) is used ONCE daily and combines tiotropium with olodaterol. Duaklir^® Genuair is used TWICE daily and combines aclidinium with formoterol.

How do these combo inhaler drugs fit in the treatment of COPD?.

For persistent symptoms, a long-acting anticholinergic (Spiriva^®, etc) OR a long-acting beta-agonist (Foradil^®, etc) is useful.

However, If needed, COMBINING these two drug classes is necessary.

In this case, try either separate inhalers OR a switch to Stiolto^®, Anoro^®, Ultibro^®, or Duaklir ® …based on insurance coverage and device familiarity. The inhalers are somewhat different that what you know with Flovent or other inhalers but there are many online tutorial videos on how to use these devices.

If appropriate, try a device that you already knows how to use…the Respimat soft-mist inhaler…or Breezhaler, Genuair, or Ellipta dry-powder inhalers.

In general, save inhaled steroids (fluticasone, etc) for severe COPD or frequent exacerbations…due to higher pneumonia risk.