Treatments for COPD

Medications

• Your doctor may prescribe medications to reduce your symptoms of COPD. Be sure to take all medications the way your doctor instructs you.
• Different medications may be prescribed to manage COPD.

Below are examples of medication specifically prescribed for COPD.

• Bronchodilators help reduce your breathing effort. They open up the airways in your lungs to relieve or reduce shortness of breath and wheezing.¹
• Because they work for different lengths of time, they are usually called “short-acting” or “long-acting” bronchodilators.¹
• There are three types of bronchodilators:
1. Anticholinergics
• Short-acting: Atrovent^® (ipratropium bromide)
• Long-acting: Spiriva^® (tiotropium bromide monohydrate)
• Side effects could include a bitter taste or dry mouth. Other side effects could include: urinary retention, urinary tract infection and irregular hearbeat.⁷
2. Beta₂-agonists
• Short-acting: Airomir^® and Ventolin^® (salbutamol sulfate)
• Long-acting: Serevent^® (salmeterol xinafoate)
• Side effects could involve the cardiovascular system and the central nervous system including: rapid or irregular heartbeat, flushing, angina, irritability, sleepiness and tremor.⁷
3. Methylxanthines - Uniphyl^® (theophylline)
• Side effects could include nausea and heartburn. Methylxanthines can interact with food and other drugs.¹

Anti-inflammatories help treat inflammation of the airways and help reduce the frequency of exacerbations (flare-ups). Anti-inflammatories may need to be used with bronchodilators in COPD.¹

1. Combination: Inhaled long-acting beta₂-agonist and inhaled anti-inflammatory are recommended for those who have already tried a bronchodilator or a combination bronchodilator, but have done poorly on the treatment.¹
   • Advair^® (salmeterol xinafoate-fluticasone propionate)
   • Side effects of ICS include hoarseness, glaucoma, decrease in bone density and oral thrush.⁷