TUESDAY March 18, 2008 (Foodconsumer.org) -- Boehringer Ingelheim told the FDA that patients using its respiratory inhaler indicated for treatment of chronic obstructive lung diseases may face a greater risk of stroke, The Associated Press reported.

The FDA said Tuesday the safety data submitted by the German drug maker indicated that users of Spiriva Handihaler were at higher risk of stroke compared to those using a placebo.

The data showed 2 in every 1,000 patients using Spiriva are at stroke risk.  But the agency said it has not yet analyzed the data from 29 studies.

Boehringer is expected to provide more data in June. Until then, the FDA asks doctors and patients to report any side effects of inhaler use.