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Inhaled corticosteroid oral candidiasis — GPhC CRA MCQ

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EasyInfectionsInhaled corticosteroid oral candidiasisGPhC CRA

A 42-year-old woman using high-dose beclometasone inhaler reports a sore mouth and white plaques that scrape off. She has no fever and no dysphagia. She uses a spacer inconsistently. What would you advise the patient?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: D — use the inhaler with a spacer and rinse the mouth after each corticosteroid dose

The symptoms are consistent with oral candidiasis associated with inhaled corticosteroid use. Using a spacer and rinsing the mouth after doses reduce local steroid deposition and recurrence. The patient may also need antifungal treatment depending on severity and local service arrangements. Stopping preventer therapy without review risks loss of asthma control.

Reference: BNF; NICE CKS: Asthma