Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with progressive airflow obstruction and is characterized by a high risk of morbidity and mortality. With early detection and treatment, the natural history of this disease may be improved. So far, bronchodilator therapy is the most important treatment for COPD. Tiotropium is a bronchodilator of recent introduction.
Objective: To discuss the clinical data on the safety and efficacy of tiotropium, a very long-acting antimuscarinic drug, available at present.
Methods: The Cochrane trial database, Medline, Embase, were searched systematically, and approximately 20 respiratory journals and conference abstracts were searched manually. Language of publication was limited to English. included tiotropium, COPD, anticholinergic, safety and adverse events.
Conclusion: A large body of evidence is available at present on the safety and efficacy of tiotropium in COPD, with dry mouth being the most common adverse event. Reviews of serious adverse event data in the literature have reported that tiotropium is safe and that the incidence of these events is the same as with placebo. Tiotropium is a convenient treatment for COPD with a good clinical efficacy and safety profile.