Transdermal delivery of anticholinergic bronchodilators: methodological and clinical aspects

Drugs with anticholinergic properties (in short anticholinergics) produce bronchodilation by competitive binding to cholinergic receptors on bronchial smooth muscle. This blockade can diminish or prevent airways obstruction in patients with obstructive airways diseases (asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)). Inhaled anticholinergics are available but their major disadvantage is their short duration of action. A longer duration of action would not only have the advantage of less frequent dosing, but may especially be useful in the prevention of nocturnal asthma attacks. To provide prolonged bronchodilation, administration via the transdermal route may be a very useful alternative. It enables a constant influx of drugs over a prolonged period of time, thus producing sustained, constant and controlled plasma drug concentrations. This thesis describes the potentials for transdermal delivery of anticholinergic bronchodilators.... Zie: Summar