'EIB Active™' Campaign and Celebrity Nanny Jo Frost Kick Off 2011 in Los Angeles to Educate Families About Asthma and Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm (EIB)

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Teva Respiratory today announced Los Angeles, Calif. as the second stop of a multi-city tour for EIB Active™, a national health campaign started in 2010 to raise awareness about asthma and exercise-induced bronchospasm, or EIB, a breathing condition that affects about 80-90 percent of children and adults with asthma, and an estimated 30 million people in the United States. EIB is a treatable condition that causes wheezing, coughing and chest tightness during or immediately following exercise or physical activity. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), Los Angeles was ranked among the Asthma Capitals, due to a number of factors, including the number of people with asthma and a higher than average poor air quality. An estimated 4.9 million people in California are currently living with asthma, including one in six children under the age of 18. Additionally, California has the worst smog in the country, with 91 percent of residents living in areas with unhealthy air.

During the stop in Los Angeles, celebrity nanny and parenting expert, Jo Frost, will visit an area school to speak with children, parents and school influencers about asthma and EIB, and share her personal experience with effectively managing her breathing conditions to lead a healthy, active life. Following Ms. Frost's school visit, students and parents will have the chance to get screened for asthma and EIB through the Los Angeles County and University of Southern California (LAC & USC) Breathmobile® program, an "asthma clinic on wheels" that provides free diagnosis, treatment, medications and education for children with asthma at their school site. The project was developed by the California Chapter of AAFA to address the rising morbidity and mortality rates of asthma in high risk disadvantaged children.

"I myself was diagnosed at the age of five years old with asthma and EIB and working with my physician, I've learned how to effectively manage my breathing condition," explains Jo Frost, celebrity nanny and parenting expert. "It's important for me to be able to share my story so children and adults who may be experiencing symptoms of EIB can take control and manage their condition to stay healthy and active."

EIB Active™ offers children and families information and resources through www.EIBActive.com. Parents and kids can find fun and interactive content, including an EIB screener, educational information and insights into the life of Jo Frost. New to the program this year is the availability of the EIB Active iPhone Application, which can be downloaded through the website. By downloading the "App," users will have access to a GPS enabled exercise tracker, physical activity log and helpful tips for managing EIB symptoms.

Exercise is one of the most common triggers of asthma symptoms; however, EIB can be a distinct condition separate from asthma in which people experience symptoms only during exercise. EIB symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, unusual fatigue or trouble getting a deep breath during or shortly after exercise. These symptoms can have a significant impact on participation in exercise and in some instances, may be the reason children and adults avoid exercise or being active altogether. In general, lack of exercise can lead to weight gain and obesity, which are risk factors for heart disease, depression, high blood pressure, diabetes and trouble sleeping.

"Proper management of EIB symptoms is the first step to ensuring those with these breathing conditions can stay healthy through active participation in sports and exercise," says Warner W. Carr, MD, Associate Medical Director, Allergy and Asthma Associates of Southern California. "Using a quick-relief inhaler, 15-30 minutes prior to exercise is the single best way to prevent EIB symptoms from occurring in the first place."

Treatment for Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm

According to the NHLBI-NAEPP guidelines, EIB can be prevented by using a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA), such as albuterol, 15 to 30 minutes prior to vigorous activity or exercise.

ProAir® HFA (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Aerosol is a safe and effective treatment option to help people prevent their EIB symptoms from occurring. ProAir® HFA is a quick-relief inhaler designed to be carried and stored in any position for an active, on-the-go, lifestyle. Used 15 to 30 minutes before exercise, ProAir® HFA quickly opens up the airways in the lungs, preventing EIB symptoms from occurring in the first place.

While pre-treatment with a SABA is what the guidelines recommend for managing EIB symptoms, asthmatic patients who have frequent, severe EIB should talk to their own physician to evaluate the status of their condition. There may be a need to initiate or increase daily long-term control therapy since symptoms of EIB for those with asthma can be a sign that their asthma is not well controlled.

About Asthma and Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm

Asthma is a chronic (long-term), treatable lung disease that causes inflammation and constriction of smooth muscle around the large and small airways (or bronchial tubes). When something sets off or triggers an asthma attack, like exercise, airways become inflamed and swollen, and the muscles around the airways tighten (bronchospasm). Symptoms of asthma include wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe), chest tightness, shortness of breath and coughing that often occurs at night or early in the morning. Without appropriate treatment, asthma symptoms may become more severe and result in an asthma attack, which can lead to hospitalization and even death. If a person has EIB, physical exertion may be the only thing that triggers asthma symptoms.

Asthma affects people of all ages, but it most often starts in childhood. In the U.S., more than 22 million people are known to have asthma, including more than 6 million children. Each year in the U.S., asthma causes approximately 500,000 hospitalizations, 134 million days of restricted activity and 5,000 deaths. It is estimated that 80 to 90 percent of all individuals who have asthma will experience symptoms of EIB with vigorous exercise or activity.

About ProAir® HFA (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Aerosol

ProAir® HFA (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Aerosol is indicated in patients 4 years of age and older for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease and for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm.

Important Safety Information

If your symptoms become significantly worse when you use ProAir® HFA, contact your doctor immediately. This may indicate either a worsening of your asthma or a reaction to the medication, which may rarely occur with the first use of a new canister of ProAir® HFA. Either of these could be life-threatening.

What to tell your doctor before using ProAir® HFA: If you have a heart, blood, or seizure disorder, high blood pressure, diabetes, or an overactive thyroid, be sure to tell your doctor. Also make sure your doctor knows all the medications you are taking -- especially heart medications and drugs that treat depression -- because some medications may interfere with how well your asthma medications work. Do not exceed the recommended dose.

Side effects associated with ProAir® HFA (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Aerosol included headache, rapid heartbeat, pain, dizziness, and irritation of the throat and nose.

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 full prescribing information at http://www.proairhfa.com/pdf/ProAirPrescribingInformation.pdf. For a printed copy, please see the full prescribing information.  

About Teva Respiratory

Teva Respiratory is the U.S.-based respiratory subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Nasdaq: TEVA). Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., headquartered in Israel, is among the top 15 pharmaceutical companies in the world and is the leading generic pharmaceutical company. The company develops, manufactures and markets generic and innovative human pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Over 80 percent of Teva's sales are in North America and Europe.

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The brands listed are the registered trademarks of their respective owners.

ProAir® HFA is a registered trademark of Teva Respiratory, LLC. EIB Active™ is a trademark of Teva Respiratory, LLC. ©2010, Teva Respiratory. All Rights Reserved.  

SOURCE Teva Respiratory LLC, a subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.