Symptoms of COPD

Because COPD refers to several types of lung diseases, the symptoms can vary from patient to patient. But there are several symptoms that commonly occur in COPD patients.

• Chronic bronchitis
• Shortness of breath with exercise
• Shortness of breath with everyday activities
• Frequent chest infections or bronchitis
• Coughing with lots of mucus
• Wheezing

What Is Chronic Bronchitis?

The bronchi are air passages connecting the windpipe (trachea) with the sacs of the lung (alveoli), where oxygen is taken up by the blood. Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi, or the lining of the bronchial tube, causing excessive mucus production and swelling of the bronchial walls. When the bronchi are inflamed and/or infected, less air is able to flow to and from the lungs.

Many people suffer a brief attack of acute bronchitis (with fever, coughing, and spitting) when they have a severe cold. Chronic bronchitis, however, is defined by the presence of a mucus-producing cough most days of the month, 3 months of a year for 2 successive years without other underlying disease to explain the cough. Undue breathlessness on exertion is eventually noticed, due to obstruction to airflow caused by swelling of the bronchial wall and the presence of mucus that cannot be cleared.^1,2

What Is Emphysema?

Emphysema is a condition in which there is overinflation of structures in the lungs known as alveoli (air sacs). As alveoli are destroyed, the lungs are unable to transfer oxygen to the bloodstream, which causes shortness of breath. This overinflation results from a breakdown of the walls of the alveoli, which causes a decrease in respiratory function. Damage to the walls, which are thin and fragile, is irreversible and results in permanent "holes" in the tissues of the lower lungs. The lungs also lose their elasticity, which is important to keep airways open. As a result, there is great difficulty breathing.

"Scientific research has shown that the normal lung maintains a remarkable balance between two types of chemicals with opposing action. One type of chemical is an enzyme that breaks down the elastic fibers in the lungs that allow it to expand and contract. The other type of chemical is an inhibitor of that same enzyme. Their opposing action creates the optimal degree of flexibility in the lungs while maintaining sufficiently strong structure to prevent collapse. When the chemical balance is altered, the lungs lose the ability to protect themselves against the destruction of these elastic fibers, as happens with emphysema."³

There are a number of reasons this chemical imbalance occurs. Smoking is responsible for the majority (80% - 90%) of COPD cases, including emphysema.²

References

¹The American Lung Association. Chronic Bronchitis

²The Canadian Lung Association. Chronic Bronchitis

³The American Lung Association. Emphysema

Patients who are having difficulty affording Schering-Plough medications can call the Schering-Plough Cares Patient Assistance Program at 1-800-656-9485 to see if they qualify for assistance.
Or visit www.pparx.org for additional information.

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Indications
FORADIL® AEROLIZER® is for the long-term, twice-daily (morning and evening) administration in the maintenance treatment of bronchoconstriction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. FORADIL® AEROLIZER® is for the maintenance treatment of asthma in those 5 years and older when taken on a long-term, twice-daily basis. FORADIL® AEROLIZER® should only be used as additional therapy for patients not adequately controlled on other asthma controller medications.

FORADIL® AEROLIZER® is not indicated for patients whose asthma can be managed by occasional use of fast-acting rescue inhalers.

FORADIL® AEROLIZER® is also for the acute prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) in those 5 years of age and older when administered on an occasional, as-needed basis at least 15 minutes before exercise.

Important Safety Information on FORADIL®
FORADIL® belongs to a class of medications known as long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonists or LABAs. In patients with asthma, LABAs may increase the chance of asthma related death. Therefore, FORADIL® should only be used as additional therapy for patients not adequately controlled on other asthma controller medications.

In COPD clinical trials, the most common adverse events reported with FORADIL® AEROLIZER® were upper respiratory infection, back pain, and sore throat.

In asthma clinical trials, the most common adverse events reported with FORADIL® AEROLIZER® were viral infection, bronchitis, and chest infection.

FORADIL® capsules should only be inhaled orally using the AEROLIZER® inhaler. The capsules should not be swallowed.

FORADIL® AEROLIZER® should not be used to treat acute symptoms. Acute symptoms should be treated with fast-acting rescue inhalers. Do not use more than one capsule twice daily. FORADIL® AEROLIZER® should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disorders. FORADIL® AEROLIZER® is not a substitute for inhaled or oral corticosteroids and, in the treatment of asthma, they should not be stopped or reduced at the time FORADIL® AEROLIZER® is initiated.

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.

Please see additional important product information.

Patients who are having difficulty affording Schering-Plough medications can call the Schering-Plough Cares Patient Assistance Program at 1-800-656-9485 to see if they qualify for assistance. Or visit www.pparx.org for additional information.