COPD Drugs

The best way to manage your COPD symptoms is to stop smoking, avoid secondhand smoke, and limit your exposure to other pollutants that will make breathing more difficult. But avoidance only goes so far; most likely, you’ll need a drug or combination of drugs to help control your symptoms.

Bronchodilators

These agents—usually inhaled—are considered the mainstays of COPD drug treatments and are available in both short- and long-acting forms. They work to open inflamed or narrowed airways and usually offer substantial relief for people with COPD. There are three types:

Beta-agonists

These come in both long- and short-acting forms and can be administered by inhalers or orally. These “agonists” activate the beta-2 receptors around the airways, which relaxes the muscles and opens the airways. Examples include:

• albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin) – also available in pill or syrup form that may be taken to control symptoms
• formoterol (Foradil Aerolizer)
• metaproterenol
• salmeterol (Serevent) – slower onset but longer activity 

Anticholinergics

These bronchodilators are typically used daily to ease breathing and reduce the number of exacerbations. This class of drugs includes:

• ipratopium (Atrovent)
• tiotropium  (Spiriva)          

Theophylline

Used when other drugs fail to relieve symptoms. May also clear mucus and help breathing muscles perform better.

• Theophylline (Theo-24) 

Corticosteroids

These anti-inflammatory drugs reduce mucus production. They may be used to treat both stable symptoms of COPD and severe exacerbations. These are commonly used when asthma is part of your condition.

Included in this category are:

• beclomethasone (Qvar)
• budesonide (Pulmicort)
• flunisolide (AeroBid)
• fluticasone (Flovent)
• fluticasone + salmeterol (Advair)
• mometasone (Asmanex) 

Oral and Intravenous Corticosteroids

These anti-inflammatory medications are used short-term, mainly in flare-ups or when symptoms are uncontrolled by other medicines. Long-term use is avoided because of the risk of side effects. Included in this category are:

• methylprednisolone (Medrol, Solu-Medrol)
• prednisolone (Prelone)
• prednisone (Deltasone)

Antibiotics are necessary to treat respiratory infections, especially when the color of your mucus changes from clear to yellow or green.

Vaccines should be given annually to prevent influenza and pneumonia.