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Corticosteroids for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Examples

Pill or liquid form (oral)

Generic Name Brand Name
methylprednisolone Medrol
prednisolone Prelone
prednisone  

Inhaled form

Generic Name Brand Name
beclomethasone QVAR
budesonide Pulmicort Flexhaler, Rhinocort
flunisolide AeroBid
fluticasone Flovent
mometasone Asmanex Twisthaler
triamcinolone Azmacort

Corticosteroid and beta2-agonist combination

Generic Name Brand Name
budesonide and formoterol Symbicort
fluticasone and salmeterol Advair

Inhaled corticosteroids are usually delivered using a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) but are also often available for dry powder inhalers (DPI).

How It Works

Corticosteroids decrease inflammation in the airways (reducing swelling and mucus production), making breathing easier.

Why It Is Used

Oral corticosteroids may be used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) when symptoms rapidly get worse (COPD exacerbation), especially when there is increased mucus production.

Inhaled corticosteroids may be used to treat stable symptoms of COPD or symptoms that are slowly getting worse. Inhaled corticosteroids may decrease the number of COPD exacerbations in people with severe COPD, particularly those with chronic bronchitis and frequent exacerbations.

Corticosteroids may be useful for people who have asthma as a component of their disease.

How Well It Works

Research results on oral corticosteroids for COPD exacerbations show that:

  • They improve lung function, reduce the amount of time in the hospital, and reduce the incidence of treatment failure (return to the hospital, death, or the need for a tube inserted through the mouth or nose and into the chest to deliver oxygen [endotracheal intubation]).1

Research on inhaled corticosteroids:

  • Suggests that for some people they reduce the frequency of COPD exacerbations compared to a placebo.2, 3
  • Reports conflicting results on whether they improve lung function.3, 4

Studies report that combining an inhaled corticosteroid with a long-acting beta2-agonist resulted in:

  • Improved lung function and improved shortness of breath and less use of relief medicine compared to a placebo and compared to either medicine used alone.5, 6
  • Fewer COPD exacerbations compared to a placebo.5, 3

Combining a corticosteroid with a beta2-agonist and an anticholinergic improved:7

  • Lung function.
  • Quality of life.
  • The number of hospital visits.

But people who used fluticasone combined with a beta2-agonist were more likely to get pneumonia.7

It is not possible to predict who will improve with corticosteroid therapy. Lung function tests (spirometry) can be done before and after using the medicine, to learn if it has helped.

Side Effects

All medicines have side effects. But many people don't feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with them. Ask your pharmacist about the side effects of each medicine you take. Side effects are also listed in the information that comes with your medicine.

Here are some important things to think about:

  • Usually the benefits of the medicine are more important than any minor side effects.
  • Side effects may go away after you take the medicine for a while.
  • If side effects still bother you and you wonder if you should keep taking the medicine, call your doctor. He or she may be able to lower your dose or change your medicine. Do not suddenly quit taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

The possibility of side effects increases as the dose of the medicine increases. Side effects are less likely to occur when you use the inhaled form of the medicine.

Oral corticosteroids (short-term use)

Common side effects of oral corticosteroids include:

Oral corticosteroids also may increase blood sugar level, which may lead to a type of diabetes caused by the medicine (secondary diabetes). If you already have diabetes, it may make the diabetes harder to control.

Oral corticosteroids (long-term use)

Common side effects of long-term use of oral corticosteroids include:

  • Osteoporosis (loss of bone).
  • Recurrent infections.
  • A cloudy area in the lens of the eye (cataracts).
  • Thin, fragile skin that bruises easily.
  • Increased risk for sores in the stomach (ulcers).

Inhaled steroids

Common side effects of inhaled steroids include:

  • Sore mouth or sore throat.
  • Voice changes, such as hoarseness.
  • Growth of a fungus in the mouth, throat, or esophagus (thrush). This usually occurs only at high doses.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported that salmeterol may make breathing more difficult. If your wheezing gets worse after taking salmeterol, call your doctor right away.

Using a device called a spacer with your metered-dose inhaler and rinsing your mouth with water and spitting the water out after inhaling should reduce these side effects.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

Inhaled corticosteroids are preferred to oral corticosteroids for long-term treatment of COPD, because they cause fewer side effects. But low-dose inhaled steroids do not always work as well as high-dose oral steroids.

Long-term treatment with oral corticosteroids is not recommended.8 Although long-term treatment with inhaled corticosteroids reduces the frequency of COPD exacerbations in some people, the long-term risks and whether the benefit is worth the risks of long-term treatment is not known.2

Most doctors recommend that everyone using an inhaler also use a spacer. Use of a spacer is especially important when using an inhaler containing a steroid medicine. But you should not use a spacer with a dry powder inhaler (DPI).

Taking medicine

Medicine is one of the many tools your doctor has to treat a health problem. Taking medicine as your doctor suggests will improve your health and may prevent future problems. If you don't take your medicines properly, you may be putting your health (and perhaps your life) at risk.

There are many reasons why people have trouble taking their medicine. But in most cases, there is something you can do. For suggestions on how to work around common problems, see the topic Taking Medicines as Prescribed.

Advice for women

If you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning to get pregnant, do not use any medicines unless your doctor tells you to. Some medicines can harm your baby. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements. And make sure that all your doctors know that you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning to get pregnant.

Checkups

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

References

Citations

  1. Singh JM, et al. (2002). Corticosteroid therapy for patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Archives of Internal Medicine, 162: 2527–2536.
  2. Alsaeedi A, et al. (2002). The effects of inhaled corticosteroids in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review of randomized placebo-controlled trials. American Journal of Medicine, 113: 59–65.
  3. McIvor RA, et al. (2011). COPD, search date April 2010. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence: http://www.clinical evidence.com.
  4. Highland KB, et al. (2003). Long-term effects of inhaled corticosteroids on FEV1 in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Annals of Internal Medicine, 138: 969–973.
  5. Calverley P, et al. (2003). Combined salmeterol and fluticasone in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A randomised controlled trial. Lancet, 361: 449–456.
  6. Hanania NA, et al. (2003). The efficacy and safety of fluticasone propionate (250 micrograms)/salmeterol (50 micrograms) combined in the Diskus Inhaler for the treatment of COPD. Chest, 124: 834–843.
  7. Aaron SD, et al. (2007). Tiotropium in combination with placebo, salmeterol, or fluticasone-salmeterol for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Annals of Internal Medicine, 146(8): 545–555.
  8. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (2010). In Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Available online: http://www.goldcopd.org.

Credits

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Ken Y. Yoneda, MD - Pulmonology
Last Revised November 29, 2011

Last Revised: November 29, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Ken Y. Yoneda, MD - Pulmonology

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