Tiotropium in the treatment of asthma

Existing asthma therapies are not always able to achieve disease control. The addition of tiotropium bromide to inhaled corticosteroids might be effective in improving disease outcome. This paper discusses the results of a study evaluating the effects of tiotropium bromide added to inhaled corticosteroids when compared to other regimens in patients with uncontrolled asthma. The addition of tiotropium to the current inhaled corticosteroid dose is comparable to the addition of salmeterol: both are more effective in achieving disease control versus doubling the inhaled corticosteroid dose. It is well worth investigating the effects of tiotropium in asthma that is not adequately controlled with higher doses of inhaled corticosteroids.