Express Scripts Adds SPIRIVA RESPIMAT, SPIRIVA HANDIHALER and STIOLTO RESPIMAT to Its Commercial National Preferred Formulary

Beginning May 15, 2020, several treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma from Boehringer Ingelheim were added to the Express Scripts (ESI) Commercial National Preferred Formulary, which covers over 22 million lives in the U.S.

The added treatments for COPD are:

  • Spiriva® Respimat® (tiotropium bromide) Inhalation Spray 2.5 mcg
  • Spiriva® Handihaler® (tiotropium bromide) Inhalation Powder
  • Stiolto Respimat (tiotropium bromide and olodaterol) Inhalation Spray

The added treatment for asthma is:

  • Spiriva® Respimat® (tiotropium bromide) Inhalation Spray 1.25 mcg

“This important decision will provide people living with asthma and COPD additional options to consider when making treatment decisions with their healthcare providers,” said Chris Marsh, senior vice president, market access at Boehringer Ingelheim. “Not only does this decision reinforce the value and impact of our respiratory portfolio, but it serves as another example of our commitment to ensure our medicines are available to our patients who need them.”

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION AND INDICATIONS FOR SPIRIVA RESPIMAT, SPIRIVA HANDIHALER AND STIOLTO RESPIMAT
 

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION AND INDICATIONS FOR SPIRIVA RESPIMAT AND SPIRIVA HANDIHALER

Do not use SPIRIVA RESPIMAT or SPIRIVA HANDIHALER if you are allergic to tiotropium, ipratropium, atropine or similar drugs, or any ingredient in these medicines.

SPIRIVA RESPIMAT or SPIRIVA HANDIHALER are not rescue medicines and should not be used for treating sudden breathing problems. Your doctor may give you other medicine to use for sudden breathing problems.

SPIRIVA RESPIMAT or SPIRIVA HANDIHALER can cause allergic reactions. Symptoms can include raised red patches on your skin (hives), itching, rash and/or swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat that may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing. If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking the medicine and seek emergency medical care.

Before using SPIRIVA HANDIHALER, tell your doctor if you have a severe allergy to milk proteins.

SPIRIVA RESPIMAT or SPIRIVA HANDIHALER can cause your breathing to suddenly get worse (bronchospasm). If this happens, use your rescue inhaler, stop taking SPIRIVA, and call your doctor right away or seek emergency medical care.

SPIRIVA RESPIMAT or SPIRIVA HANDIHALER can increase the pressure in your eyes (acute narrow-angle glaucoma) which can cause the following symptoms: eye pain, blurred vision, seeing halos or colored images along with red eyes. If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking your medicine and call your doctor right away.

Dizziness and blurred vision may occur with SPIRIVA RESPIMAT or SPIRIVA HANDIHALER. If you experience these symptoms, use caution when engaging in activities such as driving a car, or operating appliances or other machines.

SPIRIVA RESPIMAT or SPIRIVA HANDIHALER can cause new or worsened urinary retention. Symptoms of blockage in your bladder and/or enlarged prostate may include difficulty passing urine and/or painful urination. If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking your medicine and call your doctor right away.

The most common side effects reported with SPIRIVA RESPIMAT in patients with COPD include sore throat, cough, dry mouth, and sinus infection.

The most common side effects reported with SPIRIVA HANDIHALER in patients with COPD include upper respiratory tract infection, dry mouth, sinus infection, sore throat, non-specific chest pain, urinary tract infection, indigestion, runny nose, constipation, increased heart rate, and blurred vision.

Do not swallow SPIRIVA capsules. The contents of the capsule should only be inhaled through your mouth using the HANDIHALER device.

Do not spray SPIRIVA RESPIMAT into your eyes, as this may cause blurring of vision and pupil dilation.

Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions including kidney problems, glaucoma, enlarged prostate, problems passing urine, or blockage in your bladder.

Tell your doctor all the medicines you take, including eye drops. Ask your doctor if you are taking any anticholinergic medicines because taking them together with SPIRIVA can increase side effects. Do not use SPIRIVA RESPIMAT and SPIRIVA HANDIHALER together.

INDICATIONS

SPIRIVA RESPIMAT, 2.5 mcg, and SPIRIVA HANDIHALER are long-term, once-daily, prescription maintenance medicines used to control symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by relaxing your airways and keeping them open. COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. SPIRIVA RESPIMAT and SPIRIVA HANDIHALER also reduce the likelihood of flare-ups (COPD exacerbations).

SPIRIVA is not a treatment for sudden symptoms of COPD.

Please see full Prescribing Information for SPIRIVA RESPIMAT, including Instructions for Use, and full Prescribing Information for SPIRIVA HANDIHALER, including Patient Information and Instructions for Use.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

CL-SVR-0040 2.8.2016

APPROVED USE for STIOLTO RESPIMAT

STIOLTO® RESPIMAT® (tiotropium bromide and olodaterol) Inhalation Spray is a prescription medicine used long term, 2 puffs 1 time each day, in controlling symptoms in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a chronic lung disease that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both.

STIOLTO is not for treating sudden symptoms of COPD. Always have a rescue medicine with you to treat sudden symptoms.

STIOLTO is not for asthma.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION for STIOLTO RESPIMAT

Do not use STIOLTO if you have asthma. People with asthma who take long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) medicines, such as olodaterol, (one of the medicines in STIOLTO), without also using a medicine called an inhaled corticosteroid, have an increased risk of serious problems from asthma, including being hospitalized, needing a tube placed in their airway to help them breathe, or death.

Do not use STIOLTO if you are allergic to tiotropium, ipratropium, atropine or similar drugs, olodaterol, or any ingredient in STIOLTO.

Call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical care if you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction including: rash, hives, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, and difficulties in breathing or swallowing. 

Get emergency medical care if your breathing problems worsen quickly or if you use your rescue inhaler, but it does not relieve your breathing problems. Call your healthcare provider if breathing problems worsen over time while using STIOLTO.

Do not use STIOLTO more often than prescribed by your doctor. Do not use STIOLTO with other LABAs or anticholinergics.

Do not use STIOLTO for treating sudden breathing problems.  Always have a rescue inhaler with you to treat sudden symptoms.

Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions including heart problems, high blood pressure, seizures, thyroid problems, diabetes, kidney problems, glaucoma, enlarged prostate, and problems passing urine.

STIOLTO can cause serious side effects, including sudden shortness of breath that may be life threatening, fast or irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, chest pain, tremor, headache, nervousness, high blood sugar, or low blood potassium that may cause muscle weakness or abnormal heart rhythm. If any of these happens, stop taking STIOLTO and seek immediate medical help.

STIOLTO can cause new or worsening eye problems including narrow-angle glaucoma, and can increase the pressure in your eyes, which can cause the following symptoms: eye pain, blurred vision, seeing halos or colored images along with red eyes. If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking STIOLTO and call your doctor right away.

STIOLTO can cause new or worsened urinary retention.  Symptoms of urinary retention may include difficulty passing urine, painful urination, urinating frequently, or urinating in a weak stream or drips. If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking STIOLTO and call your doctor right away.

The most common side effects of STIOLTO are runny nose, cough, and back pain.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, eye drops, vitamins, and herbal supplements. STIOLTO and certain other medicines may affect each other.

STIOLTO is for oral inhalation only.

The STIOLTO cartridge is only intended for use with the STIOLTO RESPIMAT inhaler.

Do not spray STIOLTO into your eyes. Your vision may become blurred and your pupils may become larger (dilated). 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the step-by-step patient Instructions for Use for STIOLTO RESPIMAT before you use your inhaler.

Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information, Patient Information, and Instructions for Use for STIOLTO RESPIMAT. 

About Boehringer Ingelheim
Making new and better medicines for humans and animals is at the heart of what we do. Our mission is to create breakthrough therapies that change lives. Since its founding in 1885, Boehringer Ingelheim is independent and family-owned. We have the freedom to pursue our long-term vision, looking ahead to identify the health challenges of the future and targeting those areas of need where we can do the most good.

As a world-leading, research-driven pharmaceutical company, more than 51,000 employees create value through innovation daily for our three business areas: Human Pharma, Animal Health, and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing. In 2019, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of around $21.3 billion (19 billion euros). Our significant investment of over $3.9 billion (3.5 billion euros) in R&D drives innovation, enabling the next generation of medicines that save lives and improve quality of life.

We realize more scientific opportunities by embracing the power of partnership and diversity of experts across the life-science community. By working together, we accelerate the delivery of the next medical breakthrough that will transform the lives of patients now, and in generations to come.

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., based in Ridgefield, CT, is the largest U.S. subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation and is part of the Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies.  In addition, there are Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health in Duluth, GA  and Boehringer Ingelheim Fremont, Inc. in Fremont, CA.

Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to improving lives and strengthening our communities.  Please visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.us/csr to learn more about Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.

For more information, please visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.us, or follow us on Twitter @BoehringerUS.

CL-STO-100022 6.5.2019