Authors' objectives:

To summarise the current research evidence on tiotropium (Spiriva) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Authors' recommendations: - Clinical impact: Tiotropium has shown significant improvements in lung function compared to ipratropium. Clinical trials have also found significant long-term benefits in terms of dyspnoea and health status with a reduction in exacerbations. Tiotropium with its once a day administration may also increase patient compliance. - Service impact: The increase in convenience from a once daily therapy and the additional clinical benefit may lead to a reduction in acute exacerbations with the possibility of health service savings. - Patient issues: Tiotropium may be preferred by patients over current multi-dose therapies, this may lead to increased compliance, a reduction in the need for concomitant medication and a better quality of life. - Financial and overall NHS impact: Although a large proportion of patients with COPD are currently take anticholinergic drugs, it is unlikely that all of them will be tried on tiotropium in the first instance. However, if the unit cost is significantly above that of related products such as ipratropium, there is the potential for a significant overall cost impact.

Authors' methods: Overview

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2001

URL for published report: http://www.hsric.nihr.ac.uk/search

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre

Contact Address: The NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre, Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, 90 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SP. United Kingdom. Tel: +44 121 414 7831, Fax: +44 121 2269

Contact Name: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Contact Email: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Copyright: National Horizon Scanning Centre