PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - M. Cazzola
AU  - M. G. Matera
TI  - Emerging inhaled bronchodilators: an update
AID  - 10.1183/09031936.00013109
DP  - 2009 Sep 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - 757--769
VI  - 34
IP  - 3
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/34/3/757.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/34/3/757.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2009 Sep 01; 34
AB  - Bronchodilators remain central to the symptomatic management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, and, for this reason and also because the patent protection of many bronchodilators has expired, several companies have reinitiated research into the field. The only limits set for the development of a long-lasting bronchodilator with a new product profile are medical needs and marketing opportunities. The incorporation of once-daily dose administration is an important strategy for improving adherence and is a regimen preferred by most patients. A variety of β2-agonists and antimuscarinic agents with longer half-lives and inhalers containing a combination of several classes of long-acting bronchodilator are currently under development. The present article reviews all of the most important compounds under development, describing what has been done and discussing their genuine advantage.