title: Inhaled treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: what's new and how does it fit?
abstract: Since chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by progressive airflow obstruction, inhaled bronchodilators form the mainstay of treatment. A variety of new inhaled drugs and inhaler devices have recently been licensed and approved for prescribing to patients with COPD; many such drugs have been formulated in devices to deliver two different drugs at the same time. The evidence based review article highlights all of the drugs now licensed, describes some of the evidence surrounding their use and highlights practical steps in helping decide when these drugs should be considered in the context of guidelines.
authors.affiliation: From the Consultant Chest Physician, Chest Clinic C, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, UK graeme.currie@nhs.net.
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Currie
authors.affiliation: Consultant Chest Physician, Scottish Centre for Respiratory Research, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Lipworth
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004338:Drug Combinations; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D006801:Humans; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000139:chemically induced; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004338:Drug Combinations; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists