Table 1 |
||
| Therapy at each stage of stable COPD | ||
| Classification | Lung function | Therapy |
| I: Mild | FEV1/FVC<0.70, FEV1≥80% predicted | Active reduction of risk factors; add short-acting bronchodilator (when needed), i.e. albuterol sulfate (inhalation aerosol, Ventolin, GlaxoSmithKline), 100μg/dose, 200 inhalations. |
| Dosing: 1–2 inhalations of 100 μg each time, and the maximum dose is 8–12 inhalations a day. | ||
| II: Moderate | FEV1/FVC<0.70, 50%≤FEV1<80% predicted | Based on therapy of GOLD 1; add regular treatment with one long-acting bronchodilators,i.e.formoterol fumarate dehydrate (Inhalation powder, Oxis Turbuhaler, AstraZeneca), 4.5μg/dose, 60 inhalations. |
| Dosing: one inhalation of 4.5μg each time, twice daily | ||
| III:Severe | FEV1/FVC<0.70, 30%≤FEV1<50% predicted | Based on therapy of GOLD 2; add inhaled glucocorticosteroids if repeated exacerbations,i.e. salmeterol/ fluticasone propionate ([dry powder inhaler], Seretide, GlaxoSmithKline), 50/250 μg/dose, 60 inhalations . |
| Dosing: one inhalation of 250/50 μg each time, twice daily | ||
Li et al. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2012 12:197 doi:10.1186/1472-6882-12-197
