FDA approves Striverdi Respimat spray to treat COPD

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration approved Striverdi Respimat (olodaterol) inhalation spray for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including chronic bronchitis and/or in patients with emphysema that are experiencing airflow obstruction, the agency announced. The spray can be used once daily over a long length of time.



“The availability of this new long-term maintenance medication provides an additional treatment options for the millions of Americans who suffer with COPD,” said Curtis Rosebraugh, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Office of Drug Evaluation II in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.



COPD is a lung disease that makes breathing difficult and becomes worse over time. Symptoms include wheezing, cough, chest tightness and shortness of breath. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of the disease, the agency noted.



Striverdi Respimat is distributed by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals.