BACKGROUND: We report the efficacy and safety of experimentally nebulized tiotropium use. We identified 19 elderly very severe COPD (GOLD stage IV) inpatients unable to use tiotropium in the Handihaler by themselves from January 2008 through May 2009. The contents of an 18 microg capsule of tiotropium were dissolved in 5 ml saline and nebulized via a nebulizer. RESULTS: Nebulized tiotropium improved the symptoms of all COPD patients, and the ADL scores of 12 COPD patients. All COPD patients tolerated nebulized tiotropium well, although mild dry mouth was reported by a single COPD patient. CONCLUSION: Tiotropium therapy for COPD patients is recommended in all GOLD stages. Our report showed that COPD patients (GOLD stage IV) who had difficulties using a tiotropium Handihaler benefitted from nebulized tiotropium. This helped them to continue their COPD therapy and was demonstrated to be an effective and well tolerated treatment option.
BACKGROUND: We report the efficacy and safety of experimentally nebulized tiotropium use. We identified 19 elderly very severe COPD (GOLD stage IV) inpatients unable to use tiotropium in the Handihaler by themselves from January 2008 through May 2009. The contents of an 18 microg capsule of tiotropium were dissolved in 5 ml saline and nebulized via a nebulizer. RESULTS: Nebulized tiotropium improved the symptoms of all COPDpatients, and the ADL scores of 12 COPDpatients. All COPDpatients tolerated nebulized tiotropium well, although mild dry mouth was reported by a single COPDpatient. CONCLUSION:Tiotropium therapy for COPDpatients is recommended in all GOLD stages. Our report showed that COPDpatients (GOLD stage IV) who had difficulties using a tiotropium Handihaler benefitted from nebulized tiotropium. This helped them to continue their COPD therapy and was demonstrated to be an effective and well tolerated treatment option.