Tiotropium bromide, a new, once-daily inhaled anticholinergic bronchodilator for chronic-obstructive pulmonary disease

Tiotropium bromide is a once-daily inhaled medication approved for the long-term treatment of bronchospasm in COPD, delivering 18 micrograms per dose.

• Long-term use of tiotropium is associated with a trough increase in forced expiratory volume in 1 second of approximately 0.12 liters and a peak increase of approximately 0.25 liters.
• Significant reductions in static lung volumes have been observed in hyperinflated patients with COPD, which may help alleviate dyspnoea.
• Regular use of tiotropium has led to clinically meaningful increases in the Transitional Dyspnoea Index, indicating reduced difficulty in breathing during daily activities.
• Improvements have been documented in respiratory-specific health status, as evidenced by enhanced scores on the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire.
• Pooled data from multiple studies show a 20% to 28% reduction in the number of exacerbations per patient per year with tiotropium.
• The most common side effect, dry mouth, was reported in 6% to 16% of patients, rarely leading to discontinuation.

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