Bugat

Do copd meds cause lung infections?

[offalot]

I don't think any copd meds cause infections - not directly. But steroids, while they may help the condition, do reduce your immune system, and that leaves you more open to infection of course.

I was put on a holding dose of 5mg prednisolone many years ago and as result my immune system is weakened and both eyes developed cataracts. Today, docs don't put patients on a permanent dose of Prednisolone as thinking has changed.

As always it's a matter of weighing up the benefits and risks - always a compromise. Very hard to gauge how side effects will affect individuals, and today drugs companies tend to list every single side effect reported to them to cover themselves against actions, but give very little help on the potential risks. They don't want to be sued for giving wrong info - that's my interpretation.

[katieoxo60]

According to some recent reports steroid inhalers can cause some types of infection in the lungs, speaking from experience my grandson had lots of infection with one type of inhaler used for Asthma and apparently you are more suseptable as you age. Of course they also can cause weakened bones with long term use. Often it is attempted to reduce the dose if your symptoms are stable or try different inhalers. In general most people tolerate inhalers well with very few side effects with long term use.

[jackdup]

There are some inhalers that do list lung infections as a potential side effect. If it is a side effect of the one you are using it should be listed in the leaflet that comes with it. Of course just because it lists it as a potential side effect does not mean you will have it.

[Phil40]

I think that Offalot’s reply is very interesting. I care for Mum with her COPD and there is talk again of a low maintenance dose of predisolone (steroid but spelling looks wrong there) but that is the rub in compromising immune system and also other side effects. Also, the regime she has just been put on due to a flare up (too early to write exacerbation oh I just did) of steroids is different again because it’s a different person advising what to do.

Definitely an exercise in weighing the pros and cons but personally Ma and me both think a low maintenance dose would be worth a try instead of this rollercoaster of antibiotics and/or steroids with flare up then better then crash and burn then meds again ad naseum which has been happening for ages. The rest of her obs etc are apparently ok; I hope I have her constitution frankly.

Hope that made sense. Regards