Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a group of lung conditions, including chronic bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema, that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related issues. The main COPD symptoms are shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and mucus buildup.

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for COPD but the condition can be successfully managed and its symptoms reduced by taking several types of medication. These medications include steroids which help in reducing lung inflammation and swelling caused by flare-ups and can come in oral or inhaled forms.

Today, we are going to have a closer look at inhaled steroids for COPD, as they are one of the most common treatment options doctors prescribe to those suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. So, let’s begin. Top of Form

What are Inhaled Steroids?

Contrary to oral steroids which are fast-acting medications typically prescribed for short-term use, inhaled steroids work best for patients with stable symptoms. That’s the reason why inhaled steroids are also called maintenance medications that keep symptoms in control for the long term. The typical dose ranges from 40 micrograms (mcg) to 250 mcg per puff, depending on the severity of the symptoms and COPD stage.

In addition, inhaled steroids require the use of an inhaler, a handheld device that sprays the medication, to deliver the medication directly into the lungs. Alternatively, a nebulizer may also be used, i.e., a machine that turns the medication into a fine aerosol mist that should be breathed in through a flexible tube and mask over the nose and mouth.

Here’s a list of common inhaled steroids for treating COPD:

• ciclesonide (Alvesco)
• beclomethasone dipropionate (QvarRedihaler)
• budesonide (Pulmicort Flexhaler)
• mometasone (Asmanex)
• mometasone furoate (Asmanex HFA)
• fluticasone propionate (Flovent)
• fluticasone furoate (Arnuity Ellipta)
• flunisolide (Aerospan)

However, the treatment plan for COPD doesn’t only comprise inhaled steroids. Indeed, bronchodilators are also usually prescribed in combination with steroids. Precisely speaking, bronchodilators are medications that relax the airway muscles and ease breathing. Examples of combination inhalers of both steroids and bronchodilators include:

• budesonide and formoterol (Symbicort)
• fluticasone, umeclidinium, and vilanterol (TrelegyEllipta)
• fluticasone and vilanterol (BreoEllipta)
• salmeterol and fluticasone propionate (Airduo, Advair, Wixela)
• formoterol and mometasone (Dulera)

What are the Benefits of Inhaled Steroids?

In general, inhaled steroids help in keeping COPD symptoms from progressing too fast. In other words, they reduce exacerbations, i.e., experiencing worsened symptoms for days or even weeks. According to research, inhaled steroids can significantly reduce the number of acute exacerbations COPD patients have.

Another study of people with moderate to severe COPD with exacerbations shows that the use of the combination of a long-acting bronchodilator and inhaled steroids works better compared to only using one or the other. Put shortly, the combination improves lung function, reduces exacerbations, and supports overall health in COPD patients.

Also worth mentioning, inhaled steroids are also helpful for asthma patients and can help in treating symptoms of the condition.

What are the Side Effects of Inhaled Steroids?

Like numerous other medications, inhaled steroids can have certain side effects, including a sore throat, cough, mouth infections, bruises, hoarseness, irritated throat, tongue enlargement, and increased thirst. What’s more, the long-term use of inhaled steroids increases the risk of pneumonia, especially in severe cases of COPD.

And, when it comes to combination inhalers, the possible side effects are headaches, cramps, dizziness, wheezing, tremor, upset stomach, nervousness, increased blood pressure, fast heartbeat, as well as an increased risk of infection.

To conclude, inhaled steroids are COPD maintenance medications. That said, they don’t provide fast relief in case of flare-ups. Therefore, ensure you consult your doctor to understand which medications to use in different situations.