Prescribing inhaled therapies in the treatment of COPD

Abstract

NICE recently updated its guidelines on the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This article focuses on pharmacological options available for the treatment of COPD. Treatment options should be based on the severity of the patient's condition, as assessed by both measurement of lung function and severity of symptoms. Treatment may consist of ‘as required’ short-acting bronchodilators, regular long-acting bronchodilators and/or inhaled steroids prescribed as combination therapy. Inhaled steroids should also be considered in patients with a history of exacerbations. New therapies for COPD are also discussed briefly.