Abstract
Selecting the most appropriate inhalation device from the wide range available is essential for the successful management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Although choice is good for healthcare professionals, knowing which inhaler to prescribe is a complex consideration. Among the key factors to consider are quality of disease control, inhaler technique, inhaler resistance and inspiratory flow, inhaler design and mechanisms of drug delivery, insurance and reimbursement restrictions, and environmental impact. In this article, we offer a simple, practical tool that brings together all these factors and includes hyperlinks to other published resources from the United Kingdom, Belgium, and The Netherlands.
Highlights
Med. 2021, 10, 5683. https://doi.org/Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is forecast to become the third-leading cause of death worldwide by 2030
Choice is good for the healthcare professional (HCP), knowing which inhaler to prescribe from the many available options is a complex consideration
When a patient presents with poor disease control, inhaler technique is the first thing that should be checked before considering a change of medication
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is forecast to become the third-leading cause of death worldwide by 2030. The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2021 strategy report recommends initiation of pharmacotherapy based on an individualized assessment of a patient’s exacerbation history, symptom severity, and blood eosinophil count (ABCD classification scheme). Long-acting bronchodilators (long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs) or long-acting β2 -agonists (LABAs)), alone or in combination, are the mainstay of COPD treatment, with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) reserved for patients who are highly symptomatic, with an eosinophil count of ≥300 cells/μL (for patients with one exacerbation in the previous year) or ≥100 cells/μL A wide range of inhaler types are available to deliver COPD therapy, each with its own unique features.
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