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Review
. 2012 Sep;87(9):901-4.
doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2012.06.022.

Practical considerations for dysphonia caused by inhaled corticosteroids

Affiliations
Review

Practical considerations for dysphonia caused by inhaled corticosteroids

César A Galván et al. Mayo Clin Proc. 2012 Sep.

Abstract

Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy has become standard in the treatment of asthma. A common local adverse effect of ICS therapy is dysphonia, which has been reported to affect 5% to 58% of patients. Although causes of dysphonia associated with ICS therapy have been underinvestigated, it may result from deposition of an active ICS in the oropharynx during administration, which then causes myopathy or a mucosal effect in the laryngopharynx. Use of ICS should be considered during any evaluation of dysphonia. We recommend using the lowest effective dosage of ICS, administering medication with a spacer, gargling, rinsing the mouth and washing the face after inhalation, and washing the spacer. If dysphonia develops despite these interventions, ICS use should be suspended until symptoms resolve, provided that asthma control is not compromised.

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Figures

FIGURE
FIGURE
Laryngoscopic image in a patient with asthma who recently started inhaled corticosteroid therapy and reported dysphonia. Note posterior bowing of the vocal cords. After performing the work-up for dysphonia, we concluded that this change was due to inhaled corticosteroid therapy.

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