Pharmacologic Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

An American Thoracic Society guideline addresses clinically important questions regarding pharmacologic therapy.

Sponsoring Organization: American Thoracic Society

Background

This guideline provides recommendations for pharmacologic treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The focus is improvement in symptoms, because evidence from clinical trials has not shown slower disease progression or lower mortality related to treatment.

Key Points

In patients with dyspnea or exercise intolerance, long-acting β₂-agonists plus long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LABA/LAMA combination therapy) are recommended over LABA or LAMA monotherapy.
In patients with dyspnea or exercise intolerance who have experienced one or more exacerbations (requiring antibiotics, oral corticosteroids, or hospitalization) in the past year, triple therapy with …

Reviewing Author

Andrew S. Parsons, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardNEJM Healer Advisory Group; Aquifer Clinical Excellence; NBME Clinical Reasoning

Grant/Research SupportSouthern Group on Educational Affairs (SGEA)

Editorial BoardsDiagnosis

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesUndergraduate Medical Education (UME) Section Chair, Southern Group on Educational Affairs (SGEA); Chair of Early Career Physicians, American College of Physicians (ACP), Virginia Chapter