• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Tiotropium Rotacaps (Tiova; 18 mcg; Cipla Ltd., India) using dry powder inhaler (Rotahaler; Cipla Ltd., India) in COPD patients over 4 weeks.

• An open, non-comparative, multicentre study.
• 120 moderate-to-severe COPD patients.
• Patients ≥ 40 years of age with smoking history of > 10 pack years.
• After a one-week run-in period, patients entered the treatment phase, during which they received Tiotropium 18 mcg OD in the morning using Cipla's dry powder inhaler for a period of 28 days.
• The trough FEV₁ was measured 23-24 hours after the previous dose.
• Dyspnea, cough, sputum production and wheeze were assessed using a scoring system (0 = none, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = severe).

• The mean trough FEV₁ improved by 130 ml at the end of treatment and FVC improved by 170 ml.

• There was a significant improvement in the total symptom scores including 'dyspnea'.

• The improvement in PEFR was significantly greater at week 1 and week 4.

• Except for dry mouth there were no significant adverse effects recorded.

• Tiotropium administered as Rotacaps through the Cipla's dry powder inhaler is efficacious and well-tolerated in patients with COPD.

1930, presented at European Respiratory Society (ERS) Conference, 2005