[Inhaled in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease therapy update]

Abstract

Knowledge of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has increased significantly in recent years, and today we have a more comprehensive concept of the disease. Additionally, drug development allows having a wide range of therapeutic options. The inhaled route is the choice, as it allows drugs to act directly on the bronchial tree. In the past few months, new molecules and devices have been developed that increases our options when treating, but also our doubts when choosing one or the other, so an update of inhaled medications for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is necessary. The different types of inhalers currently available are reviewed in this article, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each of them, in order to determine how to choose the right device.

Keywords: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica; Inhalador; Inhaled therapy; Inhaler; Terapia inhalada; Tratamiento; Treatment.