J Korean Med Assoc.  2006 Apr;49(4):333-341. 10.5124/jkma.2006.49.4.333.

Pharmacotherapy in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

• Kim YK

• KMID: 1958287
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2006.49.4.333

Abstract

The general approach to manage stable COPD is characterized by a stepwise increase in treatment, depending on the severity of the disease. None of the existing medications for COPD have been shown to modify the long-term decline in lung function that is the hallmark of the disease. Therefore, pharmacotherapy in COPD is used to decrease symptoms and /or complications. Bronchodilator medications are central to the symptomatic management of COPD. They are given on an as-needed basis or on a regular basis to prevent or reduce symptoms. The principal bronchodilator treatments are beta2-agonists, anticholinergics, theophylline, and a combination of these drugs. Regular treatment with long-acting bronchodilators is more effective and convenient than treatment with short-acting bronchodilators, but more expensive. The addition of regular treatment with inhaled steroids to bronchodilator treatment is appropriate for symptomatic COPD patients with an FEV1<50% predicted (Stage III: Severe COPD and Stage IV: Very Severe COPD) or repeated exacerbations (for example, more than 3 times during the last 3 years). Chronic treatment with systemic steroids should be avoided, if possible.

Keyword

Stable COPD; Pharmacotherapy; Bronchodilators; Steroids

MeSH Terms

Bronchodilator Agents
Cholinergic Antagonists
Drug Therapy*
Humans
Lung
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive*
Steroids
Theophylline
Bronchodilator Agents
Cholinergic Antagonists
Steroids
Theophylline

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