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 To check if the topic you are viewing is current or out of date, please refer to the topic publication details by clicking on the 'How up-to-date is this topic?'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.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - Management
When should I treat someone with COPD with oral corticosteroids?
- Do not start oral corticosteroids for maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in primary care.
- Maintenance use of oral corticosteroids in COPD is not normally recommended.
- Refer to a respiratory specialist if long-term treatment is being considered.
- If a person is already taking oral corticosteroids for maintenance treatment which were not started by a specialist, refer to a respiratory specialist to assess the need for continuing treatment.
- If a person is started on long-term oral corticosteroids in secondary care, ensure that they are monitored for the development of osteoporosis and/or given appropriate prophylaxis.
- People 65 years of age or older, and people younger than 65 years of age with a previous fragility fracture, should be started on prophylactic treatment without the need for prior dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.
- See the CKS topic on Osteoporosis - preventing steroid-induced.
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