ABOUT INHALED STEROIDS

• What are inhaled steroids: Steroids are drugs that reduce inflammation. As suggested by the term "inhaled", a patient inhales the medication from a delivery device ("inhaler" or "puffer"). Inhaled steroids are directly delivered to the lungs with the aim of reducing inflammation in the airways.
  
  
• Agents, dosing and frequency: The commonly used medications are fluticasone (approximately 1000 mg/day), budesonide (800 to 1600 mg/day), triamcinolone (1200 mg/day) and beclomethasone (1500 to 2000 mg/day). Patients typically use one of these inhalers 2 or 3 times a day.
  
  
• Duration: Inhaled steroids are a long-term treatment. In several studies patients used the medication over many years (up to three years). Therefore, to maintain the potential benefits patients may have to use inhaled steroids for the rest of their life.
  
  
• How to use inhaled steroids: Sometimes patients use a plastic device that is placed between the inhaler and the patient's mouth. This device is called a "spacer" and improves delivery of the medication to the lungs. After using the inhaler patients are advised to rinse their mouth with water which will remove remaining medication.
  >> Click to learn more about how to use inhalers
  
  We will now tell you about the benefits and downsides of inhaled steroids in COPD.