[Pharmacological management of stable COPD]

Pharmacotherapy for stable COPD depends on the severity of the disease. Thus, decisions on therapeutic interventions should be based not solely on the degree of airflow obstruction but also on symptoms, exercise tolerance, frequency and severity of exacerbations, and health-related quality of life. The progressive nature of COPD necessitates a stepwise increase of medication (step-up approach) depending on the severity of the disease. Although none of the currently available medications has been shown to modify the abnormal reaction to inhaled noxious particles and gases that lead to COPD, pharmacotherapy has beneficial effects on the clinical course of the disease by controlling symptoms, increasing exercise tolerance and improving general health status.