It's true, but you have to understand in what sense is it true. There are three classifications of meds for COPD: Long acting beta agonists (LABA); long acting muscarinic agents (LAMA) and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). LAMAs and LABAs are both bronchodilators, but they target different areas in the lungs and work differently; the ICS is a steroid. All the major pharma companies that deal with COPD meds have their own LAMA, LABA and ICS; all the same class of med, but each company uses different chemical to achieve the same result and holds the patents for their chemical recipe. So Spiriva is a LAMA; there are a bunch of other LAMAs made by different companies: Tudorza, Seebri, Lonhala and Incruse.

The answer to your question is that you are taking the most prescribed LAMA available, but there are others available made by different pharma companies. So yes, it's true that there are other meds, but they do basically the same thing as Spiriva. If Spiriva doesn't work for you, there are others to try that you might respond better to. It's worth a try for sure.

IT is NOT True and for the same reasons previously stated: You have to compare how you feel with knowing HOW our medicines work. The triple-ingredient medicines at commonly used for those with advanced Respiratory damage causing COPD. Several other medicines exist but are rarely used in advanced Stages of treatment but could help as a long-term supplement to the primary Controller meds dispensed as powders and inhaler sprays. Click on any User picture in this Forum and still to the bottom choice box where it says "Learn more". There you will read about other meds often used earlier in Respiratory treatment but could still be used as an Add-on now.

My guess is your condition worsens if you forget the Symbicort dose. This is a steroid and is helpful for keeping chest inflammations at bay. Prednisone (a pill) is also used to increase the steroid level in your body and for the same reason. Similarly, Theohylline is a med used to help keep the breathing pathways dilated (open) for longer periods of time. This would help those with Shortness of Breath (SoB) attacks after doing brief activities or rapid movements in short periods of time. Your doctor could work with you to remove one or more your ingredients and monitor if the effects improve your overall breathing efforts. Of course, this could also add to the total amount of medicines you require in a daily basis and introduce new interactions or risks. Your mileage will vary, indeed.

I think you'll find that chances of pneumonia are listed as side effects for most of the inhalers available to us. I doubt that Breztri is immune to it!

I’m new here but have questions about inhalers. I have recently been diagnosed stage 4 COPD after going to Pulminologist because I’ve had a productive cough for a year ever since being exposed to severe mold which I am allergic to after my house was flooded after hurricane Ian.
My pft says 35% and CT scan says hyperinflation and boullis so the Drs have put me on inhalers but I’m having difficulty with most inhalers that are causing me to be short of breath after use which I’m not usually short of breath and still very active.
I’m afraid to keep trying inhalers as they seem to make me worse yet Drs insist that I must use them to maintain and to not progress COPD.
I’m also taking azithormycin 250. Three times a week.
I was had severe asthma with episodes brought on by many allergies as a child and went into remission when I was a teen.
Is it possible that I have had lung damage for a very long time and my body has adapted which is why I am not exhibiting symptoms of severe COPD?
I am not only having difficulty tolerating most inhalers such as breztri, trelogy and some others but I also don’t want to become dependent on them if they are not helping as I only have the cough and no other symptoms.
Any thoughts?

I'.m on Dulera which is inserted into a aero chamber to inhale in. It really helps shortness of breath, Another one is Breo that helps. Ask your doctor. There are others that can help beside what your taking. Maybe a second opinion would help. Feel better!