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Treatment of Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Drug Therapy for Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Studies have also shown that in patients with COPD whose symptoms cannot be adequately controlled with a long-term Beta agnonist inhaled bronchodilator, adding an inhaled glucocorticoid to a long-term Beta agonist bronchodilator can:
- Improve airflow
- Better control symptoms
- Improve overall quality of life
Because inhaled bronchodilators may cause systemic side-effects (e.g., osteoporosis; easy bruising and bleeding) and/or local side-effects (e.g., voice changes; oral candidiasis; enlargement of the tongue), patients who are taking these medications need to be monitored carefully for adverse side effects.
