New perspectives on the role of muscarinic antagonists in asthma therapy.

INTRODUCTION: There is increasing evidence that tiotropium, a long-acting muscarinic agent (LAMA), is useful in the presence of severe-uncontrolled asthma despite the optimization of therapy with inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) and long-acting ß2 agonists (LABAs) as recommended by the current guidelines. Furthermore, in recent years there have been several  preclinical and clinical studies on the pharmacological and therapeutic impact of other LAMAs in asthma. AREAS COVERED: We have conducted an extensive search on muscarinic antagonists in asthma therapy throughout several sources and discuss what has emerged in the last 3 years (January 2017-March 2020). EXPERT OPINION: New evidence indicates that the effectiveness of adding a LAMA, at least tiotropium, is independent of the degree of the type 2 inflammation and age of patient. Therefore, tiotropium can be administered without the need for patient phenotyping. Umeclidinium and glycopyrronium also appear effective in asthma. Initial treatment with LAMA+ICS for those with mild asthma may be an equally effective therapeutic option as LABA+ICS but this hypothesis should be confirmed by statistically powered trials.