The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7187 p274-79
2 March 2002

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Tiotropium effective once-daily bronchodilator

Tiotropium is an effective, once-daily anticholinergic bronchodilator in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, researchers from California say.

Researchers randomly assigned 921 patients with stable COPD to receive either tiotropium 18µg or placebo. They found that tiotropium was associated with reduced dyspnoea, fewer exacerbations and improved health status and that these benefits were sustained over a period of one year (European Respiratory Journal 2002;19:217–24).

In another study, the benefits of tiotropium 18µg once daily exceeded that of ipratropium 40µg four times daily in 535 patients with COPD. The Belgian and Dutch researchers conclude: "Given the comparative data, once-daily administration of tiotropium should be considered as first-line maintenance treatment in patients with COPD." (Ibid, p209–16)