Bronchitol: A Breath of Fresh Air for Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that affects the lungs and other organs. It causes thick and sticky mucus to build up in the airways, making it hard to breathe and increasing the risk of infections. CF patients need daily treatments to clear their lungs and improve their quality of life.
One of the treatments that can help CF patients is Bronchitol, an inhalable mannitol product that works by drawing water into the airways and loosening the mucus. Bronchitol is used together with other medicines to improve lung function and reduce exacerbations in adults with CF. Bronchitol is given only after a tolerance test to make sure the patient can safely use it.
How does Bronchitol work?
Bronchitol is a dry powder that is delivered by a handheld device called an inhaler. The patient inhales the powder through the mouth into the lungs. The powder contains mannitol, a sugar alcohol that has osmotic properties. This means that it attracts water from the surrounding tissues into the airways. This water thins the mucus and makes it easier to cough up. By clearing the mucus, Bronchitol helps to improve airflow and oxygen exchange in the lungs.
What are the benefits of Bronchitol?
Bronchitol has been shown to improve lung function and quality of life in CF patients. In clinical trials, Bronchitol improved the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), a measure of how much air a person can exhale in one second, by an average of 6.5% compared to placebo. Bronchitol also reduced the number of pulmonary exacerbations, or episodes of worsening lung symptoms, by 36% compared to placebo. Furthermore, Bronchitol improved the quality of life scores of CF patients, as measured by the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire-Revised (CFQ-R), a tool that assesses how CF affects various aspects of life such as respiratory symptoms, physical functioning, emotional well-being, and social interactions.
Where is Bronchitol available?
Bronchitol is approved for use in several countries around the world, including Australia, Canada, Europe, Israel, New Zealand, Russia, and the United States. The availability and price of Bronchitol may vary depending on the country and the health insurance system. The following table shows some examples of the prices of Bronchitol in different countries as of September 2023:
| Country | Price per month (USD) | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | $1,200 | |
| Canada | $1,500 | |
| Europe | $1,800 | |
| Israel | $1,000 | |
| New Zealand | $900 | |
| Russia | $1,300 | |
| United States | $2,000 |
Note: The prices are based on an average daily dose of 800 mg (two capsules twice daily) and may not include taxes or shipping costs.
What are the top 5 global brands of inhalable mannitol?
Bronchitol is the first and only inhalable mannitol product that is approved for the treatment of CF. However, there are other brands of inhalable mannitol that are used for different purposes, such as diagnosing asthma or reducing intracranial pressure. The following are some of the top 5 global brands of inhalable mannitol, according to their market share and popularity:
- Bronchitol: Manufactured by Pharmaxis, a biotechnology company based in Australia, and distributed by Chiesi, a pharmaceutical company based in Italy. Used for the treatment of CF in adults.
- Aridol: Manufactured by Pharmaxis and distributed by Methapharm, a specialty pharmaceutical company based in Canada. Used as a bronchial challenge test to diagnose asthma in children and adults.
- Osmitrol: Manufactured by Baxter, a global healthcare company based in the United States. Used as an intravenous infusion to reduce intracranial pressure and treat cerebral edema.
- Respitose: Manufactured by DFE Pharma, a joint venture between Fonterra and Royal FrieslandCampina, two dairy cooperatives based in New Zealand and the Netherlands, respectively. Used as an excipient, or an inactive ingredient, to enhance the performance of dry powder inhalers for various respiratory diseases.
- Mannitol: Manufactured by various generic drug manufacturers around the world. Used as an oral or intravenous osmotic diuretic to increase urine output and treat fluid overload.
Conclusion
Bronchitol is a novel inhalable mannitol product that can help CF patients breathe better and live longer. It works by drawing water into the airways and loosening the mucus. It has been proven to improve lung function, reduce exacerbations, and enhance quality of life in CF patients. It is available in several countries around the world, but the price may vary depending on the health insurance system. Bronchitol is the first and only inhalable mannitol product for CF, but there are other brands of inhalable mannitol that are used for different purposes. If you are interested in learning more about Bronchitol or other inhalable mannitol products, please contact your doctor or pharmacist.