CKS is no longer commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE remains committed to providing a replacement service for CKS and is currently reviewing its options. In the meantime, although CKS content is now not being maintained, it still remains relevant and will continue to be made available. CKS content was generated under a programme of topic creation and update. To check if the topic you are viewing is current or out of date, please refer to the topic publication details by clicking on the 'How up-to-date is this topic?' link in the left hand menu on individual topic pages.
Candida - oral - Management
How should I prevent oral candidiasis in people using inhaled corticosteroids?
- Oral candidal infections (particularly median rhomboid glossitis), and associated adverse effects such as dysphonia and pharyngitis, are common dose-related adverse effects associated with inhaled corticosteroids.
- To prevent future episodes of oral candidal infection advise:
- Good inhaler technique.
- Rinsing the mouth with water (or cleaning a child's teeth) after inhalation, to remove any drug particles.
- Using a spacer device to reduce the impaction of particles in the oral cavity.
- Stepping down the dose of inhaled corticosteroid when appropriate.
- For further information on reducing the adverse effects associated with inhaled corticosteroids, see the sections on Adverse effects of inhaled corticosteroids and Choice of inhaled delivery system in the CKS topic on Asthma.
© NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement