title: [Current utilization of anticholinergics in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment].
abstract: Only 20% of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease receive appropriate treatment. The most utilized among anticholinergics has been ipratropium bromide in inhalation very valued for its safety but that should be utilized every 6 hours. In these setting the average dose is 26% and when the patient takes de drug every 24 hours the dose index is 84%. Tiotropium is the new anti-cholinergic administered through respiratory airways that should be taken every 24 hours. It is more effective for improving functional residual capacity with levels much higher than ipratropium bromide. Furthermore, tiotropium is better than ipratropium bromide for improving the quality of life and for diminishing the frequency of exacerbations, one of the causes for improving the quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neumología, Hospital de Cruces, Unversidad del País Vasco, 48903 Baracaldo, Vizcaya.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sobradillo Peña
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zenarruzabeitia Urigoitia
mesh_terms: D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists