MEXICO – Scientists have developed a new drug to treat Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) combining bronchodilators; tiotropium and olodaterol along with a device for facilitating inhalation.

The combination of these two compounds helps patients to increased bronchodilation compared to monotherapy, therefore improves breathing which is the main problem of this disease.

“By improving lung function has been shown (the drug) scientifically that the quality of life of patients with COPD increases,” said Dr. Javier Sandoval, of Boehringer Ingelheim  (German pharmaceutical company) branch in Mexico.

According to the Global Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment COPD is a common, preventable and treatable condition, characterized by a persistent limitation on the exit and entry of air into the lungs, said the specialist.

Dr. Sandoval indicated that this condition increases with the passage of time and in the long term is associated with airway inflammation in response to exposure of particles or gases.

The main symptoms are shortness of breath that worsens over time and increases with exercise; there are also intermittent chronic cough without phlegm (sputum) or a constant creation of phlegm.

The doctor stressed that any phlegm production could be long-term COPD therefore a doctor should confirm if  the patient had any prior exposure to tobacco smoke or wood, as well as checking up on family history.

The head of the Clinic of COPD at the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases (INER), Rafael Hernández Zenteno said that the main goal of treatment is to reduce exacerbations, improve bronchodilation, shortness of breath, exercise tolerance, so that there is an overall improvement of the quality of life.

Combination therapy tiotropium-olodaterol is administered using a new inhaler device which produces actively fine cloud of drug, so that the patient should only breathe molecules naturally and reach deep into the lungs.

COPD is expected to be the third leading cause of death by 2030, therefore, the specialists emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment to help control symptoms delay damage in patients.