[The position of tiotropium in new treatment guidelines for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a significant syndrome of internal medicine with serious health, social and economic impacts. Globally, tiotropium is the longest used and through the randomised studies the most examined representative of inhalation long-acting antimuscarinics. In routine practice, this treatment group is identified with a globally known abbreviation LAMA (or U-LAMA, U means ultralong-acting with dosing every 24 hours). Pharmacological agents of the LAMA (U-LAMA) group are included in a significant number of all important treatment guidelines. The Czech guidelines place these medicines into the first line of general medication - for all symptomatic patients, regardless of the stage, age and comorbidities. The article describes the role of LAMA (namely tiotropium) in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and also relevant evidence of the efficacy and safety of both tiotropium dosage forms (HandHaler and Respimat) in detail.