COPD Drugs Found to Increase Risk of Death

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Research released Tuesday indicates that the use of certain drugs that treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may increase the risk of cardiovascular death or respiratory death.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung condition in which the airways become narrow, limiting airflow to the lungs. This can cause severe respiratory problems which cannot be easily reversed and often worsens over time.

Ipratropium bromide (which is marked as Atrovent and contained in Comivent) and Theophylline are respirtaory medications which could be prescribed to treat COPD. However, new research indicates that they could increase the risk for mortality.

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Spinal Cord Stimulator lawsuits

Spinal cord stimulator lawsuits are being investigated for individuals who suffered unnecessary shocks, burns or other problems, often resulting in the need for additional surgery to remove the SCS.

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A study was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine on September 16, 2008, which evaluated the association between different COPD medications and the risk of death. The study involved a large-scale analysis of patient data from the U.S. Veterans Health Administration healthcare system.

Researchers followed a group of patients with newly diagnosed COPD for one year after treatment with medications such as ipratropium bromide, theophylline, long-acting beta-agonists and inhaled corticosteroids. Of 11,897 patients with cause-of-death data available, researchers found that there were 2,405 cases of respiratory death and 3,159 cases of cardiovascular deaths.

The data indicated that ipratropium bromide increased the risk of cardiovascular death by 34% and also increased all-cause mortality. Theophylline increased the risk of respiratory death, but did not increase the risk of cardiovascular death.

In contrast, the risk of death from all causes was found to decrease with the use of long-acting beta agonists and inhaled corticosteroids, which actually reduced the risk of cardiovascular death by 20%.

Researchers suggest that further study is needed to confirm these findings. The study did not measure current smoking status and lung function for the participants, and it was not clear from the data whether women and patients with severe COPD were affected by the increased risk.

Tags: COPD, Death, Respiratory
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12 Comments

Randall
I used ipratropium bromide (Atrovent) for several years. Prescribed when I was diagnosed with COPD back in 1999 or 1998. At the time I was not smoking. I started smoking again in 2009. My COPD worsened even when I was not smoking. Today, 20yr’s later the COPD is worse still and I’ve recently been diagnoses with Lung Fibrosis as well. I never heard of COPD until diagnosed. Could it be, the Atrovent caused my condition to worsen rather than smoking?
Cynthia
My husband has COPD and was put on Theophylline ER 200 mg 3 times daily back in January 2016. He started having trouble swallowing in Feb. and it has gotten worse. He has lost 58 lbs since January. I told him to stop taking the pills. We told his lung doctor about it and they decided to have him to stop it also. I have talked to some other doctors and have found out that this has been pulled off the market a number of times in the past. My husband is still having trouble eating and keeping food down. They are going to run a upper GI as soon as they can get him worked in. What I want to know is could this Theophylline have been causing the problem?
Marilyn Sue
I smoked for over 40 years. No one ever told me the dangers. Cigarette manufacturers should have to pay everyone that was injured. I know have stage 4 COPD. No life anymore!!!
Edward
ve been around all different chemicals, Starch , Asbestos, and developed COPD and had to retire, I loved my Job and wanted to stay, But they said no, I was a Mechanic and then a Manager. I can say that we had a bad Starch leak for 3 months and production was more important then our health, Would I qualify for a Law Suit, I was making good money and now I have to live off a long term disability, and Social Security and my Disability runs out when I turn 65 1 1/2 years from now. I think they should have to pay for exposing me to all the stuff that causes cancer and COPD.
carlos
I am 59 year old I smoked 40 plus year and work as a welder for over 20 year on the railroad ind
james d
I am 49 yrs. old and have smoked 34 years. most of those years I smoked methold cigs. I also worked in the construction industry with different types of acids, and different types of chemicals used for cleaning surfaces to be sealed with different types of caulking. I also worked with minor brick repairs that required grinding, and was not provided with a face mask. I was diagnoised whit copd about 5 years. the companys that I worked for are now out of business, also I worked with fire proofing that was the same as fiber glass insulation. is there anything that I can do to be compensated for this against the companys tha t I worked for or tobacco company or is it to late? none of the doctors that I have told about working with the different chemicals , fumes, fiberglass and dust will not say anything accept stop smoking and that my lungs are so black that you cant tell whats gong on
Denise
I smoked menthol ciggerettes for 40 yrs. I have C.O.P.D. and lung cancer as a result of smoking. Do I qualify for lawsuit?
Heather
I was wondering if there are any lawsuits still open for Theophyline, I had this medicine as a young child and have issues from it. I am just wondering, thanks!
DENTON
I am 65 , and have smoked for 50 years. In 1977 when light cig. were put on the market, as light and less tar, I made myself change for thay said thay were better for you. but, At no time did anone ever say anything about C O P D, or whste it was. Now i have stage 4, And i quite somking, and did all the treatemts but it dont help now. And now i cant enjoy retirement or the last years of my life. If thay had told the truth, about light, I would had quite in 1977 . someone should help for all those lies back then.
erin
my mother passed away in jan, 2012 of copd she was on oxygen for almost 4 years and i took care of her , she stopped smoking but in nov. 2010 she started again but only taking a hit here and there she never went over four smokes a day.. all the meds they had her on even when she didn’t smoke didn’t help her and to make things worse sleeping pill ambien she had been on for almost 10 years i hear now is back in the spot light . my mother was 62 very close to her grandchildren theres nothing i could do to bring her back but i do know that if it was post way back what was in her cigarettes she would’ve never smoked them ….
Lori
I have COPD and spent 12 days in the hospital because of it. I had to have oxygen at home for over a week when I was released. I have smoked for over 40 years. Do I qualify for this class action lawsuit against the tobacco company or is it too late for me?
Janice
I’ve have been diagnosed with COPD. I’m on 4 types of inhalers. I started smoking st the age of 16 I am now 50. On Advisability. This is the hardest habit to quit. Do I qualify for this class action lawsuit against the tobacco company or is it to late?

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