Withdrawal of inhaled corticosteroids in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

According to current clinical guidelines, a role of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in the management of patients with COPD is limited. The optimal benefit/risk ratio could be achieved only in specific populations of patients with COPD. In a real life, physicians often do not follow clinical guidelines, and ICS are overprescribed. In addition to the lack of effectiveness, there are possible risks of ICS use. Regarding to this, there is a need to develop a simple and convenient algorithm for ICS withdrawal in the population of COPD patients who do not fit criteria for therapy with ICS. Clinical studies on efficacy and safety of ICS and available data on ICS withdrawal in patients with COPD are analyzed in this article. An international expert panel developed a simple and convenient algorithm for withdrawal of ICS in patients with COPD based on published data.

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, inhaled drugs, inhaled corticosteroids, withdrawal of inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting bronchodilators, ICS withdrawal algorithm

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