Selected aspects of management of patients with COPD and persistent dyspnea despite treatment

Table 17.5-1. Selected aspects of management of patients with COPD and persistent dyspnea despite treatment
Current treatment	Recommended follow-up
LABA or LAMA	LABA + LAMA
LABA + LAMA	– Consider changing inhaler type or drug – Look for alternative causes of dyspnea – Consider switching back to bronchodilator monotherapy – Consider LABA + LAMA + ICS
LABA + ICS	– LABA + LAMA + ICS or – LABA + LAMAa
LABA + LAMA + ICS	– Look for alternative causes of dyspnea – LABA + LAMAa
a Consider in case of recent pneumonia, lack of indications for ICS, or lack of response to ICS treatment
COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; ICS, inhaled corticosteroid; LABA, long-acting beta2-agonist; LAMA, long-acting muscarinic antagonist.