Study demonstrates superiority of Spiriva over salmeterol in reducing risk of exacerbations in COPD

Results of the one-year Prevention Of Exacerbations with Tiotropium in COPD (POET-COPD^®) study, published today by the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), demonstrate that Spiriva^® (tiotropium), is superior to salmeterol, in reducing the risk of exacerbations in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The POET-COPD^® study is a large, one year head-to-head study designed to compare the effects of the long-acting anticholinergic Spiriva^® with the long-acting beta agonist salmeterol on moderate to severe exacerbations in COPD. Exacerbations (sometimes referred to as COPD lung attacks due to the severe impact on patients' health), are a key indicator for disease progression and decline in lung function and their prevention is a major treatment goal.

“The results of the POET-COPD® study, comparing two long-acting bronchodilators, should help to guide clinical practice in the management of COPD and the prevention of exacerbations.”